Blossoms: Gary

Who calls their album Gary? Well Blossoms do, and it’s some of their finest work to date. It’s what we’ve come to expect from the boys from Stockport. Indie bangers and pop anthems. It’s probably their most fun record and the songs reflect that. 

Side A opens with ‘Big Star’ a song written about Tom (the bands frontman) spotting a famous journalist in a bar, and whilst wondering if she could go and say hello. Questioning his own fame. It’s very 80s sounding. A classic Blossoms tune with some very introspective lyrics underneath the pianos and guitars. First single ‘What Can I Say After I’m Sorry’ follows it’s the band at their most funky. With a groove based hook that the lyrics wrap around. The band are exploring themes they’ve explored before but this is a new sound we’ve not heard yet. It’s easy to see why it was a single.

The albums title track is next ‘Gary’ was written about an 8ft Gorilla statue called Gary, it was stolen from a garden centre in Scotland in 2023. After being gripped by the story the band wrote the song. It has already taken the crown as the bands most infectious song with witty lyrics and a catchy guitar line. This one will be in the set for years. 30,000 people chanted it back to them at this years Wythenshawe Park gig. It won’t be the last time a crowd does that. It’s really that good. 

‘I Like Your Look’ sees the band collaborate with CMAT and explore new territory again. Heavily influenced by the Blondie song ‘Rapture’ it’s a very different song to what we’ve come to expect and I understand it won’t be for everyone, but it’s an interesting listen. 

Ending Side A is ‘Nightclub’ another collaboration this time with Joshua Lloyd of Jungle fame. The song has a real Jungle feel about it, with Tom singing about trying and failing to get into a nightclub. One of the albums must underrated gems. I can see this one becoming a fan favourite. 

Side B opens with my personal favourite track ‘Perfect Me’ the albums third and final single. A late edition to the record, written and recorded in a band jam session. With repeating synths, and a Joshua Dewhurst guitar solo. It reminds me a lot of Old School Blossoms. The kind of song we’d hear on the bands self titled debut. 

‘Mothers’ is a beautiful slower paced song, that references Tom and Joe’s mothers and how they were friends back in the 80s. Way before Blossoms were a thing. There’s also a very clever line about The Smiths and Rick Astley. It’s a beautiful song about friendship and growing up. ‘Cinnamon’ pays homage to The Smiths with its instrumentation but definitely not its lyrics. It’s an upbeat song about young love, with miracles and edibles in abundance. Another one I can see being in the set list for a long time. 

‘Slow Down’ sounds like Blossoms doing Tame Impala, it’s a dark marauding song. Built on a drum machine and synths, with Tom doing his best Kevin Parker impression. I’d love to see them explore this direction more. It’s brilliant. 

The guitars come back out on the final track ‘Why Do I Give You the Worst of Me.’ A commentary of the nature of human beings and our self centred attitude. It’s clear to see Blossoms are trying new things and embracing the freedom that comes with being an independent artist. 

This record is Blossoms at their most accessible and most fun. ‘Gary’ doesn’t hang around with a run time of 30 minutes. It’s the perfect soundtrack to your very own dance floor. One of the albums of the year 

Thank you for reading x