★★★★★
After a year of finding ‘Gary’ and crashing weddings, Stockport’s finest Blossoms return with their sixth album ‘Songs From The Wedding Cake’. The album title pays tribute to their hometown, as Stockport’s town hall is nicknamed “The Wedding Cake”. The album mixes narrative songwriting and catchy lyrics with love, joy, and funk. This time, Shawn Lee produces the record, and they recorded it entirely on tape. This record differs from earlier ones, with no particular indie power songs, as it explores a broader stylistic range.
‘Joke About Divorce’ opens the album, with a special appearance by the legend Rick Astley; it’s a fun track that feels very disco-centric. The track puts a spin on something that can be quite traumatic, adds a little fun to it, and, well, it’s a laugh. When it first came out, it surprised fans and set expectations for what the record would sound like.
Followed by ‘Husband’, a track that even features in this year’s FIFA edition, and reflects on lead singer Tom Ogden’s experiences with being married and what it means to him to be a husband. This track is very cleverly written, especially with the reference to The Cure in the lyrics of “I think I took The Cure too literally when they say, “Boys don’t cry” no no that’s not me”. As soon as you hear them, as the opening lyrics, you instantly know you’re in for a treat. Then comes ‘The Kardashians’, and like a few of the tracks, it pulls you into the song's storytelling and vibe. This track is notable because it starts with bongos, then instantly shifts to Myles Kellock’s piano, making for a great track.
‘Additional Driver’ is a highlight on the album, featuring indie singer-songwriter Declan McKenna, who is a real joy on this record. McKenna's vocals are especially strong, and their placement on the track adds a nice bonus. ‘Additional Driver’ is a story-driven track that Ogden really nails. Even though it’s about him crashing his car, it pulls you straight into the anecdote with a pleasant, funky jam.
‘Guts’ is a sweet, gorgeous love song from Ogden about being with a partner, being close to them, and wishing you had their guts, aka confidence and courage. The backing instruments, paired with lovely melodies, make for a captivating song. ‘Guts’ sits between the slower ‘Fall into You’ and the more uplifting ‘Uma Thurman’, giving the album great flow. ‘Uma Thurman’ is groovy and feels like a 2000s rom-com soundtrack, and it continues the wedding theme running throughout the record. It stands out on the album with its continually uplifting feel, and it's another track full of thoughtful lyrics that fans will be eager to dissect.
In contrast with everything else on the album, ‘The Deep End’ makes for a perfect ending point, leaving the album on a sombre yet hopeful note. It’s the longest track on the album, coming in at over six minutes. However, it doesn’t drag the way some longer tunes do, it takes you on a journey instead. It’s always a pleasure, as with many of their albums, when they kick off with a strong opening and close with something truly impactful.
This album is a great excursion for the band, building on some of the styles and sounds from fan favourite 'Gary', while also bringing more techniques to the table and extra life to the sound. At its core, every track on the record is unique, and each one contributes to a great album.
To celebrate the album, the band are touring the UK in November and December; tickets are on sale now.
Jack Smith
Image: ‘Songs From The Wedding Cake’ Official Album Cover