Sydney melodic hardcore act Bloom have today unveiled their highly-anticipated debut album, Maybe in Another Life, via Greyscale Records and Pure Noise Records. The five-piece made waves with their acclaimed 2020 concept EP In Passing, followed by a live version in 2021 and pit-splitting single “Sink into the Soil” in 2022. Now, the band returns with a 10-track project in the form of a concept album about possibility.
The new record explores themes of longing, self-indulgence and despair through the perspective of someone constantly questioning their reality. Frontman Jono Hawkey gives a visceral performance as he delivers a harrowing account of personal suffering on behalf of the relatable albeit fictional character. ‘You won’t need anybody else/ Don’t reach out, you don’t need help’ demonstrates this mental struggle with the inner voice perfectly.
“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,” explains Hawkey.
“Since recording in early 2022, we have been hyper-focused on every element of this release. From visual identity to colour palates, we have spent countless hours composing a complete body of work that we are extremely proud of.”
Atmospheric opener “An Entry” gently builds tension with reverberant picked guitar and soft vocals from guitarist Jarod McLaren before launching into the chaotic title track. The drums are phenomenal and Hawkey is livid, a welcome contrast to McLaren’s soaring cleans in the heart-wrenching chorus. The frenetic energy of “Siren Song”, a cut that might sound familiar to anyone who caught Bloom live last year, brings the two-steppers out of hiding for relentless verses and a tasty offbeat groove in the bridge.
If you weren’t moving by now, first single “Bound to Your Whispers” will surely get you off your feet with its explosive passages and singalong hooks. The aforementioned lyric hits home for us emo kids who live in our heads and is a painfully beautiful segue to “Carve Yourself into My Lungs”, a lament for those we lose to our inadequacies. Signalling the latter half of the record, “You & I” is the alternative rock ballad that we never knew we needed from these lads and sits nicely between a song about fear and one of hope.
Whereas the first half of the album spews lies from the voice inside, “Fragments of a Dream” begs questions from the attentive listener. It boasts a steady crescendo the band is known for in the bridge then instead pulls the plug for an outro of wet acoustic guitar with tender vocals. “Laughing Stock” is a blistering burst of energy late in the mix with second thoughts on reform before the opener’s companion piece “An Exit”. The guitarwork in this is a highlight as thundering blast beats usher in the most precise breakdown of the whole album.
Epic closer “Through the Threshold, Beyond the Bend” showcases everything the boys have to offer with a range of sonic influences. Searing riffs and frantic drums? Check. Picked melodies and soft vocals? Check. Ethereal soundscapes and passionate spoken word? Check! It all works so well, and the delicate keys that ride out this track are the icing on the cake – that is, a smash cake with your best friends celebrating your new favourite band and their incredible debut album.
After playing Good Things Festival in December and supporting While She Sleeps at their sideshows, Bloom have since become a hot talking point of the heavy scene with little left to prove. They have also sold out numerous headline shows and made festival appearances at UNIFY Gathering and CVLTFEST in between. Hawkey has even lent his distinct voice to established locals Tapestry and Reside with guest features on “Descent” and “Palace”, respectively.
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Maybe in Another Life is out now – if you like it, buy the record on vinyl or cop some merch.
