First growth has maturity.
‘Seeing It Through’ may be the debut album from The December Flowers, but its members are seasoned musicians who have played in various combinations and bands over the years. This current formation, The Flowers, has grown organically since 2017 when singer/songwriter Gemma Gray and multi-instrumentalist Joel Robson began collaborating in Sheffield. Organist Shane Surgey joined in 2018 after seeing their performance at the Tramlines Festival, followed by drummer Sam Dougherty in 2019 and bassist Ian Swift in 2021.
Years of playing together have allowed The Flowers to develop a distinctive sound. These musicians complement each other, creating rich, layered music that surpasses their individual talents. The Flowers blend Americana with the folk-tinged spaciousness of California psychedelia, a touch of British music hall pop, 60’s Wurlitzer organ-driven rock, and a hint of Nashville country. Solid bass and drums underscore guitars that soar and weave through the keyboard sounds.
However, the music is only half of the equation. Gray’s lyrics elevate ‘Seeing It Through’ to a work of art. The first song, ‘Dream Again’, opens with a riff reminiscent of Trampled by Turtles. The theme is liberation from one’s own thoughts and others’ games: “If only I could get outta my head / Stop taking onboard the things that you said / If I could just break free from my mind… And I just wanna break the chain / I wanna dream / I wanna dream again.”
The next song, ‘Mind Game’, starts with discordant noise that transitions into a guitar/keyboard lead, introducing Gray’s vocals: “Tragedy and loss it’s a part of my brain / How much can one person realistically take / I’m over it I’m exploding / Oh I am in pain / I have to accept the things I cannot change.” This song deals with loss: “And I think of you I cry / And I miss you all the same / Oh it’s a process I must go through / It’s a mind game.”
These first two songs set the tone for the album, exploring themes of pain, perseverance, and the challenges of love and friendship. The final track, ‘Demons and Doubt’, is a fitting conclusion: “I can’t speak anymore / ‘cos I don’t know what to say / Things haven’t been going right for such a / Long old time / Oh but I can’t speak anymore / And you are not alone / But I cannot be the one to help you out / ‘cos my head is full of demons and doubt.”
Despite being a debut album, the songs on ‘Seeing It Through’ reflect maturity and the universal experiences of life, celebrating the strength to keep going. The lyrics of ‘Anyhow’ encapsulate this sentiment: “But you went and you broke my heart / You’ll be glad to know it’s still beating / My life didn’t fall apart / If I knew then what I know now / Oh oh I wouldn’t go back not anyhow / And I wouldn’t change a thing.” The music complements the words, with hints of joy amidst the ache.
While the album maintains a consistent theme, each song is unique. So, pour yourself a glass of something dark and smoky, perhaps an Islay scotch, dark spice rum stout, or lapsang souchong, light a fire, and listen to ‘Seeing It Through’ attentively. Allow your own pain and loss to surface and celebrate the resilience that has brought you this far.
