We are taking a break from our usual reviews of new releases in music because, in this article, we are going to review an album from a year ago. Hope and Fireworks is an album recorded, mixed, mastered, and produced by blossoming, a Philippine-based indie artist. The entirety of this album aims to ease and relax your mind from the worries that might be bothering you right now. Hope and Fireworks consists of 11 songs, probably around only 34 minutes of listening time. In this span of listening time, you can throw your worries away and just calm down and breathe.
The album greets you with an emotional piano instrumental entitled Fireworks in the Sky. Depending on your current mood while listening to the piece, the meaning of this instrumental will differ. It is such a powerful instrumental and intro at that, for it to convey emotions based on what the listener is feeling. Some songs with lyrics can’t even convey that strong of an emotion. This can also be a good song to be included in a film score if it will ever be given the chance.
Don’t Lose Heart comes next in the queue. This song was also as calm yet emotional, just like how the album’s intro was. It depicted how one can be lost and in the middle of an anxiety attack, yet tries to find a way to calm themselves, to not hate what they do, to not let go of what makes them happy just because something went wrong in the process. It also portrayed fear so well in its lyrics although it might not be as long as some other songs are. The album’s next track, Keep Holding On, also shares the same themes but takes on a lengthier, more specific route in its lyricism. These three songs are perfectly placed and well-arranged to be next to each other. These are the perfect songs to open the album to direct its trajectory in telling a story.
Fourth in the queue is Here For You ― this song will be your friend if you need to hear words of comfort if you’re going through some really tough times. It is perfect to listen to when you feel like you’re fighting battles alone, and you need a companion to comfort you. Here for you is the lengthiest song in the album in terms of lyrics, and its lyrics serve a purpose to its listeners so it’s a win-win for this song. Be There, the album’s fifth song features Christela Marquez. This track also kind of shares the same sentiments when it comes to lyricism. Both songs offer help and comfort when you feel like you can’t ask for it.
The Beauty of Fireworks serves as the middle of the album as its sixth track. It neutralizes the feelings of pain and offers an imaginary scenic view of a fireworks show. We all might’ve felt some type of serenity while we watch these kinds of activities, seems like it has the power to erase whatever worry we have and force us to just enjoy whatever it is that we’re doing in the present. This song reminds the listener to breathe and calm their soul as we listen to it. It immediately was followed by another soul-healing instrumental interlude entitled Hope & Fireworks. It serves as a noise-canceling device to deafen your surroundings and focus on yourself, your calmness, and your well-being.
The album’s 8th song, Don’t Give Up on Yourself, asks the listener to always prioritize themselves first before anything else. Your goals and your achievements won’t mean anything if you lose yourself, so this song reminds you to never ever prioritize anyone over your mental health and emotional capacity. Connected to the previous track in terms of message and lyricism, Shine a Light talks about how there will always be someone who loves you, so do not be scared to take a leap of faith and face the world.
Featuring Roxanne Miranda, Love Of Me is the album’s second to last track. This track talks about loving oneself so that no matter what comes towards you, you won’t easily break and cave in to it. Self-love is the foundation of self-care and a strong gut feeling. It also protects us from potentially abusive people and situations, and this song is a perfect reminder for it. Going down to our last song in the album comes Beloved Dearly. It is a beautiful instrumental that sounds hopeful and colorful, a reminder to always try your best everyday while still caring for your wellbeing. Just like the opening song, this one deserves to be in a film score, too.
In need of a much-deserved break from a tiresome and lonesome life? Experience the calm and the cozy through blossoming’s Hope and Fireworks. You can stream the album on your favorite music streaming platforms and follow blossoming on their social media accounts as well!
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About the Author
Angel Mariah Rodiel – Mari to the people she’s fond of – is a BA Literature student currently studying in Central Luzon State University. Writing, arts, and music are some of the things she’s been most passionate about ever since she was a kid. Mari’s little dream is to build a band that will open for Paramore’s concert someday. Pop-punk and alternative rock are her comfort music genres, K-pop and J-rock comes close as third and fourth.
