Blossoms 'Blossoms' review

Image: Blossoms

Lying south east of Manchester is a place called Stockport and as you approach it, you will notice two things. There's a biscuit factory on one side of the road and on the other is a sign that welcomes you to the city. Below it read the words "The Home Of Blossoms".

This would perhaps lead you to believe that the band in question have acquired legendary status, a well seasoned outfit who have spent years at the top and have an extensive back catalogue under their belts. You'd be wrong.

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It certainly feels like the five piece have been around forever though and this is reflected in the track-listing of their eponymous debut record. Listen to the album above via Spotify.

Alongside latest singles 'Getaway' and 'Honey Sweet' sit songs like 'Blow' and 'Cut Me And I'll Bleed', the former dates back to 2014, and these set the early precedent for what was always going to be a success story for the band.

The build to the album's release has been short of phenomenal; Blossoms have played sold out shows at the Ritz and Albert Hall and their support slots for the Libertines and The Stone Roses have seen them perform at two of Manchester's biggest arenas.

With careful treatment their sound has developed into a more polished, more synth driven affair and this can be heard in these new songs. Where the influences of the Doors once were, there is now a more pronounced nod to acts like New Order and more recently, Bastille.

Furthermore, there's an almost hip hop groove to 'Smashed Pianos' and you can certainly tell that this is a band who felt AM's presence rather strongly when it was released three years ago.

There are some crossover moments too. The ubiquitous 'Charlemagne' is built upon an impossibly memorable keyboard hook and an equally catchy chorus whilst 'At Most A Kiss' follows in a similar vein with shimmering synths and fuzzy guitar work driving the track into some powerhouse vocals.

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'In My Room' is a more tender approach with just piano and acoustic guitar the bed for Tom Ogden's vocals; similarly 'Onto Her Bed' takes huge influence from the band's BBC Radio 1 Piano Session with Huw Stephens where they covered one of their heroes; ABBA (watch above).

Like the back catalogue of the Swedish hit makers, this album is littered with pop hooks and varying styles that all blend nicely to create one succinct collection of songs.

With the love and nourishment of a major label the group have flourished and 'Blossoms' is the clearest sign of that. With their careers now in full bloom, the group who spent so long touring the country in the back of a van can truly enjoy the fruits of their labour.

Like this? Check out Blossoms interview: 'we've brewed the perfect storm'