No track better embodies what made the debut so well-received than ‘Charlemagne’. The instantly recognisable and encapsulating opening melody helped the song become an instant festival classic. The pairing of mystical and introspective songwriting with anthemic guitar hooks showcased how the band were able to perfectly balance a new wave of thoughtful songwriting and polished production with the timeless British indie-rock guitar sounds that translate live so well. The song still remains a setlist staple today, with the opening riff remaining a head-turner at any UK festival.
The mid 2010s marked a resurgence of British indie music, where people were seemingly yearning for new guitar bands and songs that could be shouted live, but with an element of depth to them. The masses did not want a band that tried to painstakingly recreate a Liam Gallagher-swagger or replicate the rough-sounding early Arctic Monkeys, but rather a contemporary band that could hold its own identity whilst paying homage to those who came before them.
Blossoms were able to achieve exactly this, by marrying modern synth-pop textures and romanticised storytelling with the enduring traditional guitar influences of the Mancunian sound. Additionally, the album came at a time where bands were more comfortable blurring the sonic lines between "indie" and "mainstream", as shown by the success of fellow North West band The 1975.
Tom Odgen’s lyricism particularly made the band’s debut stand above other merging Manchester bands. His ability to preserve the city’s sound, whilst adding his own surreal nuance, created a unique lyrical identity for the band. Their debut album writes about everyday life in a romanticised, dreamlike way, heavily differentiating themselves from the gritty, social-realism that had defined the bands which came before them.
No one can deny the remarkable consistency that Blossoms have shown in the ten years following their debut, with a new album being released every two years. With every record released, they refine their sound and artistic direction, as opposed to reinventing it. Their growth can be seen particularly in their third album ‘Foolish Loving Spaces’, where a maturity and sense of settlement in relationships starts to emerge, with tracks such as ‘Romance, Eh?’.
Their latest release, ‘Gary’, named after an eight-foot fibreglass gorilla, embodied a playful lyrical approach, with an infusion of nostalgic 80s funk and modern synth arrangements. The band upheld their profound lyricism, with a deeper exploration of the turmoil that comes with growing in relationships. This, paired with their usual catchy guitar riffs and synths, made for the perfect album which showcased their ability to build upon their sound and lyricism with a new sense of maturity.