HARDCORE HAPPY opens with an intro that smacks you with an overwhelming wave of nostalgia, captivatingly muted vocals, and alternative-90s-inspired production with a modern twist – and that’s just the first 30 seconds. THE BLOSSOM is back with what I would argue is their best release yet. It teeters somewhere between the realm of Fiona Apple and Charli XCX, marrying folk-style acoustic guitar riffs and contemporary beats. I can’t tell if it belongs on the soundtrack of a gritty Harmony Korine film or a modern coming-of-age story. And that versatility is what makes it so special.

I wouldn’t call HARDCORE HAPPY a particularly sad track, nor would I coin it as an uplifting anthem. It’s simply raw and authentic – striking a chord that no song has done for me in a long, long time. As they sing, “I just want them all to love me, I just need them all to need me,” THE BLOSSOM embraces vulnerability with a steely edge. The seamless flow into the chorus releases a symphony of musical and emotional elements in a way that feels simultaneously hesitant and explosive. On “HARDCORE HAPPY,” THE BLOSSOM captures the human experience in such a way that is rare and refreshing. All the while making it sound really good. Safe to say this one’s gonna be on repeat for a while.

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