ALBUM REVIEW: Petals Of Tomorrow – Seasons For Change
In a world that feels ever smaller thanks to the dominance of technology and human evolution, we are fortunate to find ourselves profiteering from an ever wider wealth of music. Every corner of the planet seems teaming with exciting new entries to the respective local scenes, consistently upping the average quality levels and driving progress. One such far flung location is Hong Kong, where the young quintet SEASONS FOR CHANGE are set to unveil their debut full length, Petals Of Tomorrow. Joining the growing musical community in their native hometown, their uplifting brand of rock sees them lean on pop and traditional influences, marking them as an exciting listen in this global picture.
SEASONS FOR CHANGE cite one of their major influences to be ANBERLIN, and as soon as Sign kicks off the record, this immediately makes sense. Pacey riffs dance a song around an assortment of heavy fretwork, and the vocals sound fantastic, drifting over the mix in a way very much reminiscent of their idols. Stylistically, the track carries a catchy vigour, holding interest until Erased takes over the reigns. Too often, contemporary pop rock lacks identity, and bands will often churn out clone-like copies of past genre offerings, but SEASONS FOR CHANGE seem to take pride in finding their own niche intricacies and stamping their own ideology on their record. Big choruses aren’t just included for dramatic effect, there is also a level of detail that feels chock full of emotion as melodic guitars wail and anguished screams join the ruckus.
SEASONS FOR CHANGE aren’t just a time worn nostalgia binge though. As often as they dock their cap to rock bands of the past, their sights are also set on a forwards trajectory. Throughout tracks such as Welcome Home and Sheep, their sound varies between blistering pop punk and a slower, more laid back feel. Here, the heavier approach is kept at arm’s length and we become accustomed to a more atmospheric nature. It works well, and if anything shows that SEASONS FOR CHANGE are far from a one dimensional band. At points the melodic hooks are heart wrenching, and are exactly what is required from an emotive album such as this.
One attribute that becomes apparent throughout the record is that the band never feel the need to be overly flamboyant. This is simple and elegant music, and that’s why it’s so impactful. Of course, there could always be a little more imagination, but for the most part it does exactly what it says on the tin. Take In The Dark as an example. A steady pace progresses this track, complete with passionate phraseology and floating musicianship that will stick in the listeners head. The press release for this album states that it would appeal to fans of YOU ME AT SIX and PARAMORE, which although far from being wrong, perhaps doesn’t do it justice. It is a debut that has placed the Hong Kong rockers on the map by means of their own ingenuity, rather than falling fixedly into the footsteps of others.
One of the reasons by which this was made possible is the dynamics. Certain features (like the melodic guitar) carry through the whole album and neatly tie it together, and yet each track feels individually acknowledged. Phoenix is a little heavier, even breaking out into CHIODOS-esque mania at one point, and then Someday and Reflection gradually cool the record back down, the latter becoming a piano backed acoustic ballad. Anchor follows, concocting yet another big chorus and a towering solo at the tail end of the track. It leads out neatly into Change, which ultimately closes the record with novel finesse. “Break free and change, this is revolution” feels like a very fitting lyric to sum up the album, and seems to carry the band’s whole philosophy in a single line.
On their first outing, SEASONS FOR CHANGE may have left themselves room for improvement, but their thought process is right on the money. Writing their own future by means of tying together the past and the present, they have offered us a glimpse at yet another glowing addition to a digital age. The world really is becoming a smaller place – all the more reason then for SEASONS FOR CHANGE to dominate it.
Rating: 8/10
Petals For Change is set for release June 21st via Famined Records.
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