4th March, 2024
Flowers For Juno
'Be My Bloody Valentine'
In an era where music often treads familiar paths, Flowers For Juno's debut EP "Be My Bloody Valentine" emerges as a breath of fresh air, or rather, a gust of gothic wind. Released on what we have been programmed to believe is the most romantic day of the year, Valentine's Day, this collection of songs seamlessly blends elements of gothic rock, creating a soundscape that is both haunting and enchantingly beautiful. At the heart of this project are Jack Wilson and Benjó James, whose collaborative genius shines through in each track, crafting an experience that's not only audibly rich but emotionally resonant.
The introduction track ‘Dead air’ is 30 seconds of static/white noise which sets the tonal atmosphere as it leads into the
first proper track 'Physical Culture' which kicks off in proper fashion with a solid rock riff that churns and bends nicely
along with the drums/bass which are locked in tight.
This instantly makes me want to comment on the production of the EP, it is dark with enough room given to each instrument
while providing enough of a balance to the high synth notes that settle nicely into the background to give the songs greater depth.
It’s an all round balanced approach to the mixing/mastering which these songs deserve. This song has got great vocal hooks too with baritone
gothic tones that suit the music with some nods to the best of the 80s music and Type O Negative at their commercial best.
The song even manages to slip in a quality solo that is unique in the sense that it blends into the song rather than it
standing out completely. Lyrically you feel this song is diving into the areas of desire between love and lust,
the destructive nature of it and how it can consume us, leading to heartbreak and betrayal. You can even feel that lingering a sense of emptiness soaking into the tracks as you go futher into this EP.
‘A Losers Game’ line in this track suggests to me that when relationships are driven by lust it can lead to negative outcomes and a feeling of being used.
The lyrics express some regret and there's a search for meaning after the hollowness of solely physical interactions.
So overall we are off to a very strong start. We are now offered a very shortened version of the Elvis classic 'Can't Help Falling In Love' that is dripping in gothic/synth atmosphere and wrapped with those baritone vocals that take over and swell into the outro as the bass hits in and introduces us to track four 'It's Not My Fault' - again another great hook of a guitar line which is complimented greatly by the guitar lead and background synths. The vocals are strong in the verses as well as the chorus. From the vocals I get very much a HIM/Type O Negative feeling to it
but Benjó has his own unique twist on it from just how expressive his voice is.
Have a listen to the EP below while you read ->
Flowers For Juno know how to structure their songs note by note and how they introduce the guitar lead back into the chorus for the second part of it. Even with adding in new elements into the second verse compared to the first - that shows how cleverly crafted these songs are and they don't feel like they over stay their welcome at any stage. We are given some breathing space with the synth bridge before hitting back into an outro that feels like the chorus but includes all the elements that is built up the song in the first place. Lyrically it portrays a deeply felt, romantic connection towards someone, which captures the overwhelming nature of falling in love. The lyrics convey a sense of innocence and purity, likening their emotional state to that of a child in the presence of the person they adore – the transformative power of love eh?
Second last track 'Have you ever seen a human heart? It looks like a fist, wrapped in blood!' has a slow building synth pad that just opens up beautifully with crackles of dead air seeping through. Some extra elements are added in to enrich the atmosphere as the vocals echo in with a radio like fashion - continuing the journey which reminds me of 'A Warm Place' by NIN which is a huge compliment. Just wish there was some sort of climax in the song or a shift towards the end instead of it fading out all the elements (which is cool in itself). The dark, purple/pink atmospheric artwork complements the music's mood perfectly, encapsulating the essence of "Be My Bloody Valentine" in a visual form. We are left with some dead air again, a nod to the introduction of the EP and some way to finish off the musical adventure. But we are luckily treated to a remixed version of track 2 'Physical Culture' which returns us back into a cave like echo/reverb insane asylum version of the song with no instruments apart from the vocals and dead air swirling and suffocating the sound waves. This ends the EP on a more darker note, again this is something NIN would do with their many remix albums/EPs. Some might not like the tonal shift from gothic rock to a more atmospheric ambience and might find it a bit jarring but this final track further showcases the band's versatility and willingness to explore the sonic landscape.
Check 'em out on Youtube ->
As the final notes of the remixed "Physical Culture" fade into silence, one can't help but feel that Flowers For Juno has just begun to unveil the depths of their musical journey. What adds greatly to these tracks (and often goes under the radar by reviewers) is the narrative that is woven through the melodies, the lyrics, and the heart. So if their debut is a promise of what's to come, then in the future we're in for an evocative, soul-stirring ride. Check this out folks!
