Sydney’s melodic hardcore torchbearers Bloom are dialling up the intensity with their sophomore album The Light We Chase, set to land October 31 via Pure Noise Records. It’s their first full-length with the label, and if lead single ‘Withered’ is anything to go by, it’s going to hit like a brick to the chest.
Produced by Sam Bassal (Ocean Grove, Void Of Vision, Thornhill), The Light We Chase is steeped in emotional conflict, break-ups, fractured trust, and staring down the void when hope feels like a sick joke. Drummer Jack Van Vliet calls it “an oxymoron” of light and shadow, chasing something perfect you can never hold.
‘Withered’ captures that tension with gut wrenching precision. Over some of the heaviest, most distorted passages the band has ever recorded, vocalist Jono Hawkey spits lines like “Eight years of my life, dedicated/desolated” — a mantra for loss and disillusionment. It’s raw, it’s bleak, and it leaves you wondering if the light you’re chasing is leading you straight into the dark.
Bloom have levelled up sonically too, pulling in their first guest features: Patrick Miranda (Movements), Jack Bergin (Void Of Vision), and Mikaila Delgado (Yours Truly). Across its 11 tracks, The Light We Chase moves from thunderous breakdowns to tender acoustic moments without losing its emotional core.
The record follows 2024’s conceptual debut Maybe In Another Life, which cemented Bloom’s reputation as one of Australia’s most compelling live acts. Since then, they’ve toured with Silverstein, Chelsea Grin, Polaris, and sold out their own headline runs.
‘Withered’ is streaming now, and if it’s any indication, October 31 can’t come soon enough.
Bloom – The Light We Chase – Tracklist
- Belrose
- Forget Me Not
- Out Of Reach
- Keep You (ft. Patrick Miranda)
- Glen Street
- Life Moves On Without Us
- Act II (ft. Jack Bergin)
- Withered
- Only Sky
- Tongue Tied (ft. Yours Truly)
- Show Me Who I Am
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