Following on from their sensational headline show at Wythenshawe Park this Summer, BLOSSOMS’ highly anticipated fifth studio album, ‘Gary‘, is set for release on 20th September via the band’s own ODD SK Recordings. More playful than their previous work, but still boasting the familiar synth sounds on their current catalogue, this album “[captures] the energy of what it’s like when five friends decide to start a band and make music together”, and ultimately, executes this perfectly.

Opting for four singles ahead of the album’s release; ‘What Can I Say After I’m Sorry‘, ‘Gary‘, ‘Perfect Me‘, and ‘I Like Your Look‘, the Stockport quintet’s freedom of creativity is evident throughout. Produced by Jungle’s Josh-Lloyd Watson, ‘What Can I Say After I’m Sorry‘ was not necessarily a fan-favourite upon initial release; however, given the context of the album, this song fits right into place. Representing the playfulness and lack of seriousness to this album’s sound, titular track ‘Gary‘ is unusually inspired by the news reading lead vocalist Tom Ogden heard on the radio about the theft of an “eight-foot tall” gorilla with a “fibre-glass heart” from a Scottish garden centre in 2023. Packed full of reflection and relatability, ‘Perfect Me‘ details the struggles of maintaining a perfect image and the different ways of becoming the perfect human being, but on the contrary, understanding the difficulties behind this becoming a reality because, at the end of the day, “life’s not easy; it leaves you guessing”, and nobody is perfect. Written at an Airbnb on Anglesey’s seafront, CMAT collaboration and last-minute release, I Like Your Look, oozes funkiness and vibes of the late 80s and early 90s, with sounds much akin to that of Blondie’s ‘Rapture‘, or Joan Baez’ ‘Time Rag‘, further accentuating the band’s freedom and playfulness with this album. Peppered with influence from David Bowie, Blondie and Hall & Oates, alongside the familiar synths of Blossoms, this quartet of songs is the perfect selection to promote the album.

Upon first listen, the dance-worthy base, smooth vocals, and purposeful pauses in Nightclub make it clear that Jungle’s production input has certainly left its mark on the track. An ode to Tom Ogden and Joe Donovan’s friendship, Mothers references the generational similarities with their own mothers’ friendship, even nodding at The Smiths and Rick Astley; perhaps Astley featuring in the music video for ‘Gary‘ was a subtle foreshadowing of the album to come. Much like most tracks on the album, ‘Big Stars‘ is based on “personal experience” and delves into the dilemma of desire for fame but facing the reality of lacking the confidence to make this happen. Closing off the album with another CMAT collaboration, ‘Why Do I Give You The Worst Of Me?‘ is a perfect and honest recollection of how behaviour can affect a relationship. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry for the way that I’ve been” abruptly ending the song is perhaps a well-constructed metaphor for the consequences of selfishness in relationships, consequently making it the perfect way to close off the album also.

Since forming in 2013, Blossoms have quite a catalogue of fan-favourites and UK Number 1 Albums behind them now; however, there is no doubt that ‘Gary‘ is set for success too. Produced by The Coral’s James Skelly and Jungle’s Josh-Lloyd Watson, this album boasts the Stockport quintet’s signature synth style, alongside a combination of newfound playfulness and fun. Although only just over 30 minutes in length, is an amalgamation of youth, freedom, and creativity, and perfectly encapsulates the energy that BLOSSOMS emit.