Top tracks — play these first
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Ribbon Around the Bomb — This title track encapsulates the album's themes of resilience and self-reflection, featuring an infectious chorus that showcases Blossoms' knack for blending upbeat sounds with poignant lyrics.
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Ode to NYC — An homage to New York City, this track combines vivid imagery and a catchy melody, capturing a sense of wonder and nostalgia that resonates with listeners.
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Everything About You — This song stands out for its heartfelt lyrics and dynamic arrangement, illustrating the complexities of love and longing with both sincerity and flair.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines catchy melodies with introspective lyrics, though it lacks a strong cohesive arc throughout its length.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album maintains a consistent upbeat tempo, while the second half introduces slower, more reflective tracks.
- Several songs feature layered vocal harmonies that create a rich texture, particularly in the choruses.
- The lyrics often juxtapose themes of joy and melancholy, with contrasting musical arrangements enhancing this duality.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- short tracks for quick bursts
- introspective themes for reflection
- catchy melodies for sing-alongs
- vibrant energy for social settings
- playful lyrics with witty charm
Maybe skip if you
- prefer long, cohesive albums
- seek heavy, intense soundscapes
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Ribbon Around the Bomb is Blossoms' third studio album, following their successful 2020 release, Foolish Loving Spaces. At this point in their career, the band had solidified their place in the UK music scene, building on previous successes while exploring deeper lyrical themes and more sophisticated production techniques.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The 1975· Fickle Friends· Vampire Weekend
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 The Writer's Theme 0:35
- 2 Ode to NYC 2:52
- 3 Ribbon Around the Bomb 2:34
- 4 The Sulking Poet 3:34
- 5 Born Wild 3:42
- 6 The Writer 2:46
- 7 Everything About You 4:04
- 8 Care For 2:50
- 9 Cinerama Holy Days 3:14
- 10 Edith Machinist 3:13
- 11 Visions 7:01
- 12 The Last Chapter 0:49
Disc 2
- 1 Intro 1:21
- 2 Your Girlfriend 2:33
- 3 There's a Reason Why (I Never Returned Your Calls) 3:48
- 4 I Can't Stand It 3:55
- 5 Cut Me and I'll Bleed 3:49
- 6 Getaway 2:59
- 7 My Swimming Brain 3:57
- 8 Paperback Writer 2:34
- 9 Blown Rose 3:11
- 10 The Keeper 3:58
- 11 Honey Sweet 4:19
- 12 Sunday Was a Friend of Mine 2:49
- 13 If You Think This Is Real Life 3:36
- 14 Blow 3:38
- 15 Oh No (I Think I'm in Love) 5:43
- 16 At Most a Kiss 4:42
- 17 Charlemagne 3:38
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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