Ribbon Around the Bomb

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Ribbon Around the Bomb
Studio album by
Blossoms
Released29 April 2022
Length37:09
LabelVirgin EMI
Producer
Blossoms chronology
Blossoms in Isolation
(2020) 		Ribbon Around the Bomb
(2022)
Singles from Ribbon Around the Bomb
  1. "Care For"
    Released: 17 August 2021[1]
  2. "Ribbon Around the Bomb"
    Released: 25 January 2022[2]
  3. "Ode to NYC"
    Released: 25 February 2022[3]
  4. "The Sulking Poet"
    Released: 24 March 2022[4]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Clash8/10[5]
Dork[6]
Evening Standard[7]
Gigwise8/10[8]
NME[9]
Rolling Stone[10]
The Times[11]

Ribbon Around the Bomb is the fourth studio album by English indie pop band Blossoms. It was released on 29 April 2022 by Virgin EMI Records.[2][12] It is the last album released on Virgin EMI as the band have created their own record label, ODD SK Records.

Critical reception[edit]

Ribbon Around the Bomb received positive reviews upon its release. Stephen Ackroyd of Dork praised Blossoms as a "band that don't just connect in the here and now, but who are now making records to last for the long haul."[6] Clash commented that the album was "endearing, prodigiously rich and ambitious" and "might well be their finest body of work to date."[5] Louder Than War described the album as: "Classic, unfussy songwriting, instant hooks abound as the Stockport five-piece produce their most consistent record to date."[13] The Evening Standard gave the album 4/5, praising it by writing: "From ABBA-ish jaunts to NYC odes, the five-piece are sounding rather more worldly". It added: "They're growing up, but haven't lost sight of what makes them so appealing".[7]

NME rated the album 4/5, saying "it's a coming-of-age moment for the band, and there's no question Blossoms have levelled up with this release, sealing their status as giants of the game with more earnest and open songwriting."[9] Gigwise rated the album 8/10, saying: "'Ribbon Around The Bomb' is a grand coming-of-age record. Featuring tight rhythms, compelling pop melodies and thoughtful lyrics, Blossoms signature chiming electric sound has developed in this mature record that puts song-writing at the forefront and solidifies their position as UK indie-pop icons."[8]

Giving the album 8/10, Rolling Stone UK said: "The group have delivered arguably their most introspective effort yet. It dials down on the synths that featured so abundantly before and instead offers a sound that wears a love of classic songwriters proudly on its sleeve."[10] The Times gave the album 4/5, saying: "They have found the music to match the image, taking inspiration from Paul Simon and Harry Nilsson to capture smooth songwriting charm."[11]

Track listing[edit]

All tracks are written by Tom Ogden, Josh Dewhurst, Charlie Salt, Joe Donovan, and Miles Kellock, except where noted

Ribbon Around the Bomb track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."The Writer's Theme"
0:35
2."Ode to NYC" 2:51
3."Ribbon Around the Bomb" 2:34
4."The Sulking Poet" 3:34
5."Born Wild" 3:42
6."The Writer"Ogden2:46
7."Everything About You" 4:04
8."Care For" 2:49
9."Cinerama Holy Days" 3:14
10."Edith Machinist" 3:12
11."Visions" 7:00
12."The Last Chapter"
  • Ogden
  • Skelly
0:48
Total length:37:09

Personnel[edit]

Blossoms

  • Tom Ogden – vocals, acoustic guitar (tracks 2–11); harmonica (2), piano (3, 4, 9, 12), electric guitar (5, 7, 9)
  • Josh Dewhurst – acoustic guitar, electric guitar (2–5, 7–11)
  • Charlie Salt – bass, background vocals (2–5, 7–11); clavinet (8), acoustic guitar (3,4)
  • Joe Donovan – drums (2–5, 7–11)
  • Myles Kellock – keyboards (2–5, 7–11)

Charts[edit]

Chart performance for Ribbon Around the Bomb
Chart (2022) Peak
position
Scottish Albums (OCC)[14] 3
UK Albums (OCC)[15] 1

References[edit]

  1. ^ Lavin, Will (17 August 2021). "Blossoms talk '70s-inspired new single 'Care For' and tease their next album". NME. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  2. ^ a b Mensah, Jenny (25 January 2022). "Blossoms announce Ribbon Around The Bomb album and single". Radio X. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  3. ^ Skinner, Tom (25 February 2022). "Blossoms share "love letter" to New York City, 'Ode To NYC'". NME. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  4. ^ Aubrey, Elizabeth (24 March 2022). "Listen to Blossoms' upbeat new single 'The Sulking Poet'". NME. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  5. ^ a b Harrison, Emma (28 April 2022). "Blossoms – Ribbon Around The Bomb | Reviews". Clash. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
  6. ^ a b Ackroyd, Stephen (27 April 2022). "Blossoms – Ribbon Around The Bomb". Dork. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
  7. ^ a b Smyth, David (29 April 2022). "Blossoms - Ribbon Around the Bomb review: Exploring a world beyond Stockport". Evening Standard. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  8. ^ a b Edwards, Emma (28 April 2022). "Blossoms – Ribbon Around The Bomb". Gigwise. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  9. ^ a b Buchanan, Rhys (28 April 2022). "Blossoms – Ribbon Around The Bomb". NME. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  10. ^ a b Reilly, Nick (29 March 2022). "Branching out: Blossoms on new album 'Ribbon Around the Bomb'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  11. ^ a b Penfold, Madeline (29 April 2022). "The best new music to listen to this week". The Times. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  12. ^ Buchanan, Rhys (8 April 2022). "On The Cover – Blossoms: "We don't see a limit to what we can achieve"". NME. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
  13. ^ Brown, David (28 April 2022). "Blossoms: Ribbon Around The Bomb – Album Review". Louder than War. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
  14. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  15. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
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