Ribbon Around the Bomb

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.

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]

Critical reception

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

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

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

References
  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. 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. Harrison, Emma (28 April 2022). "Blossoms – Ribbon Around The Bomb | Reviews". Clash. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
  6. Ackroyd, Stephen (27 April 2022). "Blossoms – Ribbon Around The Bomb". Dork. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
  7. Smyth, David (29 April 2022). "Blossoms - Ribbon Around the Bomb review: Exploring a world beyond Stockport". Evening Standard. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  8. Edwards, Emma (28 April 2022). "Blossoms – Ribbon Around The Bomb". Gigwise. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  9. Buchanan, Rhys (28 April 2022). "Blossoms – Ribbon Around The Bomb". NME. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  10. Reilly, Nick (29 March 2022). "Branching out: Blossoms on new album 'Ribbon Around the Bomb'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  11. 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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