Blossoms return with their sixth studio album and new theme, “Song from the Wedding Cake”, and it is delicious. You may remember their last album centred on a fibre-glass giant gorilla called Gary; this time, I imagine their backdrop is a giant wedding cake. The songs are uplifting, with funky basslines, catchy melodies, and an all-round good vibe, to brighten these dull autumn days.

The opener ‘Joke About Divorce’ has a catchy chorus, playful lyrics, and an infectious groove that sets the mood from the start. ‘Husband’ has bright keyboards, while ‘Meet Me in Love’ blends shoegaze with disco.

One highlight is the first track I heard on Live Lounge last week, ‘Additional Driver,’ featuring Radlett’s Declan McKenna. I felt Tom and Dec’s vocals complemented each other over a fun, playful song. Dec’s inclusion, who contributed to the writing, didn’t feel forced.

The instrument that stole the show was the bass. An outstanding job by Charlie Salt. His basslines were super funky. ‘Guts’ is a great example of his strong bassline, which gives it a catchy groove. The same goes for ‘Uma Thurman’, but Charlie was joined by sharp guitars over danceable beats.

Of course, as with any album, there are tender moments. Songs like ‘Fall Into You’ and ‘Where Have You Been My Whole Life?’ sprinkle romance, but the record never loses its warmth. The closer, ‘The Deep End’, brings the energy down.

Most of the lyricism focuses on love, marriage, and relationships, quite apt when you look at the title. But as always with Ogden, he adds humour and enough personality to keep it from getting too soppy. Shawn Lee does a great job with the production, letting each instrument shine while keeping that classic Blossoms earworm.

I loved the album’s positive vibe. The band clearly had fun during the sessions. Of course, Blossoms are known for their indie and shoegaze sound, but it was nice to hear funk and disco thrown in to freshen things up.

What a pleasure to listen to from start to finish. The collaboration with Dec was a highlight; the melodies are catchy, and Chaz’s funky basslines are excellent. A record that makes you feel good.

Song recommendations: ‘Additional Driver’, ‘Joke About Divorce’, ‘Guts’

9/10