BLOMLJUD

Been a hot minute since I made an album review. Guess I was having a bit of a break. But I have been hankering to get back into the swing of things, doing something that I love. Speaking of love, I heard a saying that went something like "the pop of the 60s made your speakers play the love in your heart" or something like that. I might be misremembering that quote, but I heard it in a podcast once that was actually talking about this record. They were describing it as the prog equivalent of the sunshine pop of the 60s, kinda like The Beach Boys or The Mama's And The Papa's, and honestly, yeah, Moon Safari is like the prog answer to that sound.

Moon Safari has been a band I have known of for a bit of time now. I heard they were pretty good, and so I binged their discography. I liked their sound and their albums but never really gave them much thought, though I did really like Constant Bloom (still do but I will talk about that later) and even added it to one of my monthly playlists for 2022. However, I guess something sparked in me to relisten to their second record again, Blomljud, or [blomljud] as it is called by the album cover, and man, I have been really underestimating this album of theirs.

This record is one of the most jolly I have ever heard, to the point where I consider it the sound equivalent of a summer's breeze. It's nearly 2 hours of happiness and prog rock proportions, as it's a mixture of the beautiful pastoral sounds of Genesis and Sui Generis, and the harmonious joy of the sunny pop/folk bands of the 60s and 70s, and what an infectious mix it is.

Every song is so magical to me, with each having this particular spark or moment that is worth remembering. The musicians here are clearly at the top of their league, with each delivering fantastic hooks, drumlines, and riffs that bring me right back to the feeling of listening to Yes for the first time, but with that modern kick of sublime production and engineer work that makes this feel like a true classic of modern prog, at least to me. Also, the leitmotifs on this piece are so good. I never get tired of hearing melodies from past songs be used for later, most notably the Constant Bloom melody, appearing in quite a number of songs, particularly Methusalah's Children and Other Half Of The Sky.

Not only is the instrumentation great, but so is the lyricism. They drift between fairy tale-like stories, to songs about summer defeating winter and vice versa, and all revolving around a setting of sunny intrigue. Some lyrics also contrast the more generally happy noises the players play, such as Methusalah's Children "We just won't really care, Acting out the stupid nature of man" and Lady Of The Woodlands "Fate lacks no irony, Lady should stay off the wine". However, even when the lyrics may contrast sometimes, they always wrap back around into a more optimistic outlook that never falls short or cliche. It's always nice hearing a band deliver both fantastic lyrics and music. They truly earned the masterpiece status in my eyes with these regards.

Now, there are actually 2 things on why I seem to have gravitated towards this album the most, and that is three songs, and Pokemon.

For the songs, I believe Constant Bloom, Methusalah's Children, and Other Half Of The Sky to be Moon Safari's best songs, and therefore the best of this record.

Constant Bloom, for one, is a simple acapella piece, practically introducing the main concept of this album, being summer's constant battle with winter. However, there is just something beautiful about this little song, as the band's vocal harmonies create this wash of sound and energy that carries on through. I actually think this is the best song Moon Safari has ever created, which is funny since it's basically a prelude track.

Methusalah's Children is an awesome epic that pairs well with Constant Bloom, being this 15 minute beauty that properly starts the entire record. As with most epics, the ending is always the best part, with the track ending with a reprisal of Constant Bloom. However, I also really like the part that goes "Look at those people?", and how it leads into this nice little folk bit before wrapping into a very neat little overdriven part that leads into a little instrumental bit. It all feels very consistent and nice, and even though it is an epic it goes by pretty quick, almost to the point where I sometimes question if the song is 15 minutes or just 10. Very nice stuff.

Obviously the big epic of Other Half Of The Sky is gonna be a favorite of mine. To me this is kinda like retro prog's answer to Supper's Ready. Neo prog has Grendel and Harvest Of Souls, and djent has Meshuggah's I (though I is basically if you made Apocalypse in 9/8 into one track and made it metal). The acoustic guitar in the beginning definitely gives off a very Genesis-esque tone, but the rest of the song feels more closely related to that of Premiata Forneria Marconi, with a hint of Yes and Electric Light Orchestra. They do get that Genesis flair near the end, with the parts of Child Inside The Man and After All. After All especially is an amazing closure, with the reprisal of the main melody to an outburst of "everyday I am loving you more", a finale that certainly puts a smile on my face. Definitely one of the best prog epics of the 2000s, and a song that I am sure to cherish over and over again.

Now, for the reason why I mentioned Pokemon. Well, it's because recently, Nintendo announced that in April of 2024, they'll cut all internet services for the 3DS, and with that, the Pokemon Company stated that Pokemon Bank, a software on the system that allows you to transfer Pokemon from game to game may also be closing down. This news saddened me quite greatly, as it meant, one, it was practically the end of a console I grew up on, and two, I might never be able to transfer some of my favorite 'mons to more recent games. Hell I even started to hack my 3DS just so I can have a chance, but that is besides the point. Hearing this news, I booted up a copy of Pokemon X I had, and wanted to listen to something particularly cheery, you know to lighten the mood a bit after hearing the sad news, so I put on this record, and Moon Safari's music really does wonders at alleviating drowsy states, and also acts as a good backup for the Kalos region, which kinda makes sense as that particular region is probably the best looking as it kinda has a very pastoral vibe that I adore. It's funny how sometimes we associate two completely different things due to scenarios we find ourselves in.

Blomljud is another masterpiece of prog rock, that much is stated, but certainly one that is unique in many regards. Its happiness is infectious, its music is boundless, and its place in my heart cannot be understated. I strongly recommend this one, especially if you like prog bands like The Flower Kings, or you like the more happy sounds of The Kinks or Beach Boys.