Bloom “The Light We Chase”

Bloom’s sophomore album The Light We Chase is a deep, emotional and, at times, a beautifully painful album. The work on the road, the understanding of life’s trials in both career and relationships captured in brutal honesty to a roaring soundtrack.

Fresh of their own sold out Aussie tour, singer Jono Hawkey and the band have eleven songs that delved into the juxtaposition of light and dark, the shadows that exist due to light, the essence of being unable to capture it, the longing for those fleeting moments life teased you with sunshine.

The story throughout seems to be based within the Sydney suburb of Belrose – it’s mentioned in three songs with two, the other being Glen Street, being titles – and a life being brought up there by the band, however it’s deeper than that, its memories of times and how they intersect with current life.

Also featuring guest spots from legends of the stature of Patrick Miranda from Movements, Jack Bergin of Void Of Vision and Yours Truly’s Mikaila Delgado, this exposed diary of the band has so much to unpack that only listening and immersing yourself in it can do.

The sonic levels the band approach that show maturity such as Forget Me Not, the emotional pain of Tongue Tied and the musical rampant fury of Life Moves On Without Us display the commitment to their craft.

The cherry flavoured, almost shoe gaze melodies of Keep You, featuring Miranda, match so well with the juxtaposition of lyrics of staying yet going.

Contrasts that rage through is lyrically the concept of the album, Glen Street drops ‘I keep a short memory for the bitter and long for the sweet’ line followed by ‘I wish I hated you’. Who hasn’t felt that?

Act 2 featuring Bergin has a wicked beat and groove, before lead off single Withered about the band itself no less lands.

Tongue Tied with Delgado, is haunting and fits perfectly between the desperation of Only Sky and the finality of Show Me Who I Am.

It’s still metalcore, however the branches out into other realms are subtle and flavoured like seasoning on your favourite dish. Lyrically open, and poetic, Bloom’s The Light We Chase is an open look inside their diary of life. Lyrically relatable, sounding amazing – the louder you turn the volume up, the better – Bloom has delivered and exceeded expectations on a real challenge for Aussie album of the year.

Album Review By Iain McCallum

THE LIGHT WE CHASE – OUT OCTOBER 31
https://purenoiserecs.lnk.to/BloomStores