Bloom - Maybe In Another Life (Album Review)
Bloom – Maybe In Another Life
Released: February 16th, 2024
Line Up:
Jono Hawkey // vocals
Jarod Mclaren //guitar/vocals
Andrew Martin //bass
Oliver Butler //guitar
Jack Van Vliet //drums
Online:
In a stream of constant media consumption, there is a kind of listener fatigue that tends to creep up. Every now and then though, a release comes across my lap that reinvigorates me. It sits on repeat for days, sometimes weeks. Getting lost in the music. Forgetting to take notes because I just want the music to sink into every fibre of my being. That has been my experience listening to Maybe In Another Life, the latest album from Sydney Melodic Hardcore act Bloom.
I will sheepishly admit, this is my first exposure to Bloom. I’ve been a little late to the party but consider me on the bandwagon. From the first minute of this album, I was hooked in. The intro track, aptly named ‘An Entry’, softly drew me in. Quickly Bloom introduces us to the leading character of this concept album. Blending seamlessly into the title track, a crescendo of melodic riffs and heavy drums comes rushing in before being pulled through fast and furious verse.
‘Dive into my state of mind, expose me at my core’
That first line snarled ferociously rings as a sonic representation of angst and self-hatred. It is controlled but vicious. By the time the chorus hits, there is no going back with this album. Barely three minutes in and it’s hard to pull yourself away from the wave of emotions that seem to keep crashing over. This feeling only multiplies once the breakdown hits.
‘If I had purpose, would I still feel lost?’
Those lyrics ring in the ears. There is no time to fixate as ‘Siren Song’ comes thundering through. The last single before the album drops, I cannot stress that as amazing as these releases are individually, it will be quickly realised that as part of the album they have even more power. ‘Siren Song’ has a grittiness to it and that two-step-worthy riff gives off a nostalgic melodic hardcore vibe but in an evolved form. It’s short. It’s sweet and by the time it’s digested, ‘Bound To Your Whispers’ is thundering through.
There is a reason they chose this song to be the first single. It is gorgeous. It is perfect. It’s heavy both musically and emotionally. A dialogue between two internal voices, there is just so much depth. One of Bloom’s biggest strengths is the way their instrumentation captures the emotion and imagery of the lyrics so accurately. Instead of just telling us, they show us and ‘Bound To Your Whispers’ is a wonderful example. Particularly the dynamics in the vocals between frontman Jono Hawkey and clean vocalist Jarod McLaren.
Another example of this musical storytelling is next on the album, ‘Carve Yourself Into Your Lungs’. The title alone paints a picture. The pacing of the track is a masterclass in songwriting. It sounds like somebody holding their breath, with the release coming as once the crescendo hits. A relatable desperation is captured in such a smart and creative way. It is a subtle song but embodies the skill this band has at injecting emotion into their music.
Giving no time for recovery, the third single from the album ‘You & I’ is up next. Every time I listen to this song, I find myself just pausing, letting it all wash over me. A sense of melancholy takes over like the world around us in slow motion and grey.
‘What we planted became overgrown. Underwatered and unkept. Together but alone, I made our flowers wilt.’
Once that guitar riff kicks in, the pace picks up and the lyrics above hit the ear- it becomes all-consuming. As a solo release, it stands so strong but as part of the tapestry of the album- it is even more powerful, especially as it bleeds into ‘Fragments Of A Dream’.
There is just so much about ‘Fragments Of A Dream’ that makes it a shining example of post-hardcore. Everything just lands right in the ear but the real stand out is the drumming. Jack Van Vliet executes his role expertly. His drumming does not just complement the lyrics, it ensures that the music is saturated with the emotion that the lyrics invoke. Helping carve out an atmospheric dreamlike state, again, that ability to represent the lyrical content through instrumentation is evident.
‘Laughing Stock’ wakes us up from the dream. This blistering just over-a-minute track plays its role. It captures the aggression that the album protagonist is working through. Through growls and breakdowns, it embodies the energy of rage that comes from embarrassment and self-realisation. It does not need to linger- as ‘An Exit’ picks up that rage and takes it through.
I will take this time to mention just how solid the guitars are on this album. I have not enjoyed riffs like this since the first time I listened to Thrice for the first time. The riffs scratch a part of my brain that is so satisfying. Melodic, clean but never afraid to plunge into a heavy chugg in parts. ‘An Exit’ displays these fluctuations that are heard throughout the release in a condensed version, but they play such a huge role in the overall sound of the album.
‘Through The Threshold, Beyond The Bend’ takes us to the end of the album. It leaves an air of satisfaction of both the album and the protagonist’s feelings being somewhat resolved, but there is still an overwhelming sense of melancholy. That section of stillness and chill then builds to a wave of intense emotion that feels like the ultimate release. It truly is a wonderful finale to what can only be described as a seamlessly flowing, expertly written and heart-driven album.
Vocalist Jono Hawkey tells us, “Maybe in Another Life contains our heaviest moments and most memorable choruses to date, and brandishes the full range of the sound we have been crafting since we began as a group.”
And truly, Bloom has done it to perfection.
Bloom – Maybe In Another Life tracklisting
1. An Entry
2. Maybe In Another Life
3. Siren Song
4. Bound To Your Whispers
5. Carve Yourself Into My Lungs
6. You & I
7. Fragments Of A Dream
8. Laughing Stock
9. An Exit
10. Through The Threshold, Beyond The Bend
Rating: 10/10
Maybe In Another Life is out Feb 16th via Greyscale Records and Pure Noise Records. Pre-Order/Save here.
Review by Kayla Hamilton @kaylazomboid
