Album Review: Florist - 'Jellywish'

Florist is back with their fifth studio album, Jellywish—an incredibly introspective and immersive record that causes the listener to inevitably fall into a deep reflection about an abundance of their own values. In Jellywish, Florist manages to continue their signature sound of folk instrumentation with subtle, ambient soundscapes. The quartet crafted an album that somehow simultaneously feels both intimate and expansive, while also establishing a dreamlike quality that Florist’s fans have come to know and love.

The record kicks off with “Levitate,” which can only be deemed as a genius thesis for the entirety of Jellywish. The song explores transcendence, acceptance, and impermanence; which prepares the listener for an utterly cathartic experience while also conveying a sense of peace with the inevitable. As we move into songs such as “Moon, Sea, Devil,” the listener can expect to witness Florist have intimate conversations with the universe. In these conversations, there are no easy answers offered, nor do they shy away from contradictions. Instead, the tracks sit in the in-between spaces, where beauty and sadness can coexist.

Jellywish explores a variety of themes such as life, death, and reality. Even so, the listener isn’t forced to go on an identical journey as Florist, but is instead called to reflect introspectively on these themes as they listen. That in itself takes this record to the next level. While it may not be the most immediate listen for new fans, Jellywish is an album to absorb slowly, and to play when seeking solace. With its gentle rhythms and soft spoken lyrics, Jellywish is a remarkable entry into Florist’s catalog—one that lingers long after the final note of “Gloom Designs” fades.

Rating - 3.5/5