Blossoms: Foolish Loving Spaces

The third album by Blossoms is next up for review. 

Side A opens with ‘If You Think This Real Life’ a real throwback to the bands previous record ‘Cool Like You’ with a huge synth part. Also with some dark menacing lyrics. Its quite the way to open the record. Instantly grabbing the listener in. The Talking Heads indebted ‘Your Girlfriend’ follows, a tale about being in love with your mates girlfriend. I know this is a huge fan favourite song, but I can take it or leave it. Its one of those songs that just doesn't grip me. ‘The Keeper’ is the third track and one of my favourites, it has a real soulful feel, almost gospel like in places. Led by Tom’s piano and talking about his now wife. Its one of the band's most touching love songs.

‘My Swimming Brain’ is the penultimate song on Side A. This is another brilliant Blossoms song has become a main stay in their live shows. The duet vocals from Tom and Charlie, are brilliantly delivered. This song has real nods to the bands early singles. It could have fitted perfectly on the bands debut record, just as well as it fits here. ‘Sunday Was A Friend of Mine’ ends Side A, another guitar based gem. With a big chorus. Lyrically about a relationship, and the trials and tribulations that come with that. Its one of my favourite songs on the record and a Blossoms song that doesn't get the credit it deserves. 

Side B opens with the huge anthem ‘Oh No (I Think I’m in Love)’ a real gem in the Blossoms discography. It has to sit alongside ‘There’s A Reason Why’ and ‘Charlemagne’. A massive song with a huge chorus, it became an instant mainstay in the live show. This is Blossoms at their very best. ‘Romance Eh’ goes under the radar, a rather short song that has the difficult job of following ‘Oh No (I Think I’m in Love) its still a great song though. A piece of indie jangle pop. That is very much at home on this album. Its classic Blossoms, and a welcome addition to the record. ‘My Vacant Days’ is next, another acoustic led song. This time about the mundanity of life, and how their can be beauty found in that. Tales of phone calls home, chats about the weather fill the songs lyrics. Think of it as this records ‘My Favourite Room’. 

‘Falling For Someone’ is the penultimate track on the album, another classic. That see Blossoms embrace 90s indie, it has a Crowded House feel to it. With the repeated lyrics and soulful chorus. Blossoms really go for it on this song. ‘Like Gravity’ ends the record and smashes the myth Blossoms are a flash in the pan indie act. This sees them blend everything they've done so far into a genre melting classic. Everything to this point so far goes into this song. 

This record reinforced Blossoms as a great band, but also reminded us on the importance to have fun. Its full of 70s hooks, 80s cliches and nods to the 90s. This is a very very good record. 

Thank you for reading x