More about: BLOSSOMS

A band that has been a shiny indie-rock soundtrack to many summer festivals— including the pivotal Sefton Park Pilot—Blossoms are known for their synth-laden sheen to early breakthrough smash hit singles ‘Charlemagne’ and ‘Honey Sweet’. But below the sweet youthful-sounding surface, the Stockport quintet have some seriously underrated funky rock meets woozy new wave tunes, taken from their studio albums, extended editions and EP’s.  

Having burst onto the scene some ten years ago, Blossoms are a band that have gone from small local club gigs to being booked as a festival favourite main stage band within a few short years. Releasing a string of introductory EPs including Bloom, Blown Rose, Charlemagne and At Most A Kiss, before committing to their first self-titled full length Blossoms back in 2016, these early works cemented this bands place amongst the modern day indie-pop greats, all with a synth-driven sheen and pop sensibilities.

Two years later, Blossoms issued their second studio album Cool Like You in 2018, a record that represents an expansion in sounds from the Manchester-based band, elaborating and experimenting with more new wave leaning sounds. More recently, the five piece released their third full length Foolish Loving Spaces in 2020, notably their most diverse and dynamic release yet, combining elements of warm gospel vocals and upbeat instrumentation with lyrics all about love. Having sold out tours, headlined hometown shows and topped bills across major festivals, something set to continue this summer at Boardmasters, Tramlines and Y Not? Festival, here we delve into some of Blossoms’ best deep cuts and underrated songs that go beyond the glistening intro of ‘Charlemagne’. 

‘I’ve Seen The Future’ 

Getting its live debut back in 2018 at Paris, ‘I’ve Seen The Future’ got its official studio recorded release a year later as a by-product of the band's second album Cool Like You, with the song making it as a standalone single as the impending third full-length Foolish Loving Spaces was set to go off in a different musical direction. ‘I’ve Seen The Future’ is a chilled synth led tune, with flourishes of subliminal basslines and a steady drum beat to accompany the sheen and shine of the mellow song. 

‘Texia’ 

A deep cut taken from the debut self-titled record, ‘Texia’ takes all the best elements of Blossoms’ first full length and throws them into one infectiously upbeat track, one that stands head and shoulders above the rest of the tracks taken from the album. Danceable beats, boogying drums and lively strings lead the new wave meets indie-pop polished sound the song takes, whilst lyrically it leans into a story of love not binding as vocalist Tom Ogden sings “Don't be fooled by her lipstick gaze/Veils of cool shelter times she strayed”.  

‘Smashed Pianos’

Another underrated song from the self-titled is ‘Smashed Pianos’. Less shimmering synths and overriding new wave, indie and pop sheen in comparison to its counterparts on this song doesn't mean Blossoms compromise on sound in the slightest. The deep cut depicts the highs and lows, hot and cold moments of human connection, amidst a backdrop of muffled vocals that burst out in the song's verse, accompanied by a scuzzy bass and plodding drums. 

‘Deep Grass’ 

The closing number to Blossoms’ first full length, track twelve ‘Deep Grass’ has blipping keys, chugging melodies and pattering sound effects that make for a glorious audio experience. Going heavy on the synthesised hooks and distorted guitar riffs, the glistening ‘Deep Grass’ has all the elements listed above and more to keep you intrigued and interested for the near five minute duration of the track, the longest on the record.  

‘Cool Like You’ 

The title track taken from Blossoms second studio album that shares the same name, ‘Cool Like You’—whist often appearing across the bands set-lists—feels like an overlooked song against the backdrop of the band's shimmering singles such as ‘There’s A Reason Why’ and ‘I Can’t Stand It’. ‘Cool Like You’ is a glittering crossover between the new wave appeal of New Order’s ‘Blue Monday 88’ and anything remotely synth-pop sounding off The Killers' landmark debut album Hot Fuss. One of Blossoms’ finest dazzlers.   

‘Unfaithful’

Following on from the synth-driven shine of album counterpart ‘Cool Like You’, ‘Unfaithful’ packs a relaxing indie meets synth-pop punch as soon as the song hits play. Starting with that said synth sheen, the song glides along into a finger snapping, foot tapping and swaying along under the blue skies of a festival type of tune, with Odgen’s soothing tone and mellow rhythms adding to its easy singalong and sweet sounding appeal.  

‘Between The Eyes’ 

Similar to the self-titled releases more stripped back tune ‘My Favourite Room’, second record release song ‘Between The Eyes’ takes this stripped back sound and sprinkles in a little more euphoria. Trying their hand at a ballad leaning number, as the first verse opens with the tender words “I lost my head this afternoon/Trying to find the words to use/I lose, I said I thought of you”, ‘Between The Eyes’ picks up the pace where the first verse left off and by the time the chorus and the bridge rolls around, the track transforms into this upbeat, quick-paced track repeating the words “You crept into my heart” with emotional intensity. A standout song that showcases the lyrical progression the band have made from their first, Blossoms’ ‘Between The Eye’s is a moment amongst the second that does this to beautiful perfection. 

‘Lying Again’ 

Tenth track ‘Lying Again’ is a song with real heart and stomp to it. Rollicking along at sufficient speed, the song is on a high speed chase of its own, with a pounding drum beat and short sharp bursts of guitar riffs compiling for a track totally driven by its tempo. Blossoms second record Cool Like You had a tough challenge on its hands to deliver an album as big as their first UK chart topper. On Cool Like You and the majority of the tracks that comprise it, the band have defied the odds against the music industry's so called difficult second album, even though there wasn't a massive sonic shift between first and the second records, Blossoms still pulled it out of the bag here.  

‘Oh No (I Think I’m In Love With You)’

Featuring on Blossoms’ third full length and 2020’s Foolish Loving Spaces, track ‘Oh No (I Think I’m In Love With You)' fuses all the best elements of the album into one dazzling disco meets pop tune. A song that sounds as if it’s transcending the decades between '70s disco and modern day pop, ‘Oh No’ starts off like a slow jam, before bursting out in scintillating style for a dynamic chorus that oozes catchiness and coolness. If a song could wear sunglasses and sunbathe beside the beach, this one would. 

‘Romance, Eh?’ 

The classic jangle of The Cure’s ‘Friday I’m In Love’ crossed with pure, soulful and wholehearted emotion comes song number seven ‘Romance, Eh?’ Building on the basis of classic rock, indie-pop and jangle-pop, the laid back tune is laced with upbeat grooves, silky guitars and soft vocals that are used as a public display of love on behalf of a friend, as the songs infatuated lyrics suggest “I'm in over my head with you/I can't find a better way/To say I'm not quite sure/Maybe give it time on my end/Get back to where we were before.” 

‘Under The Sun’ 

Taken from the extended edition of album Foolish Loving Spaces, song ‘Under The Sun’ dabbles in electronic elements, a sign of the record's musical expansion that separates the third LP from the two before it. Retaining Blossoms’ signature shimmering synth sound, the song flourishes in other areas including neat basslines and wobbling keys that make for a song perfectly fitting with the albums desire to be more dynamic and different. From its perfect pop songwriting down to its sound that spans across three decades worth of music, whether that be '70s disco to '80s new wave and '90s Britpop. Fun loving third album Foolish Loving Spaces and track ‘Under The Sun’ is Blossoms’ expansive leap. 

More about: BLOSSOMS