‘In Bloom’ is an album for the moment. It’s replete with songs that are meant for summer, ranging from the essential bops to the more melodic ballads that keep you loving. An album crafted over multiple years, ‘In Bloom’ discusses everything from a frolicking relationship based summer anthem to deep and existential introspections. The Arizona based indie rock band wrote, recorded, and produced the entirety of the album. And in that fact lies their organic originality, their sumptuous simplicity, and their earthly earnestness. Inspired by the chill vibes of the hot Sonoran desert, Natural Favors has set on a mission to make music that is as raw and natural as possible.
‘Blue’ is a great opener, progressing slowly from section to section in a seamless fashion. With a collection of vocal harmonies, a wonderous drum section, and lead by some intricate acoustic guitar work, the songs got a whole lot going for it. If I’m not too wrong, I’m fairly sure multiple members of the band take turns on the vocals. The vibe continues on ‘Slap In The Face’, a cheerful and uptempo indie pop tune. “I was hoping that you’d call me, and tell me that I should stay”. It really sounds like the track that plays in the middle montage of a teenage rom-com film. “Life has got you needing space, but I could put you in your place”. In each track, Natural Flavors imbibes each lyric with so much flair that you can’t help but fall into their addictively catchy and easy-going brand of indie pop music.
And the album doesn’t really relent at any point. At fourteen tracks long, some of the best work on the entire project begins to show up towards the latter half. ‘I’ve Changed My Mind’, for instance, is exemplary in how straightforward and earnest it is. ‘Life’, while perhaps a tad cliched, is one of the more heart warming pieces on the album. ‘Falling Down’ is perhaps my favourite. The penultimate piece on the project, it’s lead by a simply wonderful riff and a romantic ode that goes as simple “if the sky is falling down, tell me would you be around”. So yes, Natural Flavors does stick to tropes. But they do so in a way that’s so undeniably emotive, so blatantly earnest, and so achingly addictive that you can’t help but enjoy every cheesy line.
But it’s the closing track, ‘Shoes’, that’s going to be the most resonant. It’s a piece of indie pop that I will treasure long from now, so much so that I don’t want to even spoil the little moments and transitions that make it worthwhile. So, for that song and the thirteen that precede it, don’t miss out on Natural Flavors on ‘In Bloom’. If for nothing else, smile a little bit this summer.