8/10

With their new EP 'Bloom', Raynes step firmly into chamber-pop territory, weaving a collection of intimate stories and ornate arrangements into something that feels both delicately crafted and emotionally sprawling. Inspired visually by the Arts and Crafts movement and thematically by the slow emergence from emotional desolation, 'Bloom' charts a clear arc of transformation from sparse beginnings to a full-bodied, orchestral crescendo.

'Pulling Teeth (I Feel Like She Knows)' kicks things off with a charming blend of fiddle, mandolin, and stacked harmonies that land somewhere between classic Americana and baroque folk. The track explores emotional discomfort through the lens of well-worn country motifs, yet sidesteps cliché by leaning into vulnerability rather than machismo.

'Turn It and Twist' flips the emotional tone entirely, sharing a rollicking, stomping pub tune delivered from the perspective of someone who refuses to back down even when they’re clearly wrong. The tongue-in-cheek energy and playful instrumentation give it a theatrical edge, yet it’s rooted in an all-too-recognisable human behaviour: the impulse to deflect guilt when pride is bruised.

If 'Turn It and Twist' is swaggering and self-aware, 'Your Mouth Is a Garden' brings things back to tenderness. Driven by global rhythms and fretless bass, the track leans toward worldbeat influences, with lyrics that conjure reconciliation and quiet devotion. It’s a standout for both its distinctiveness and its gentle emotional intelligence.

As the EP unfolds, Raynes begin to layer their arrangements with greater ambition. 'Goldfish' dips into Celtic textures, and 'Rainbow Baby' balances sorrow and optimism with kinetic string interplay and subtle banjo. The emotional weight deepens, and the instrumentation swells to meet it, with each song feeling more like a miniature play than a pop track.

By the time we reach 'It’s So Quiet Without You', 'Bloom' is fully in bloom, so to speak. Here, the group blends orchestral elements with rock instrumentation, crafting a track that brims with longing and a yearning for connection. Chimes, sleigh bells, flute flourishes, and an ensemble of strings underpin vocal harmonies that feel almost choral in scale.

The final track 'Say That You Want It' is where the EP reaches its apex. What begins as a plaintive plea grows into a sweeping, symphonic finale. Brass, piano, and timpani surge in a grand culmination that feels like a cinematic last stand for love.

Raynes manage something rare on 'Bloom', they create a body of work that’s deeply refined without ever becoming sterile. The songs feel lived-in and real, with lyrical turns that capture small but potent emotional truths. 'Bloom' is a collection that grows with every listen, much like the garden it draws from. It’s an EP about transformation, reconciliation, and reaching for something brighter after a long winter. Raynes have not only expanded their sound, they’ve cultivated something rich, tender, and lasting.