Gothic rock outfit Flowers for Juno are back with their latest EP, ‘The Rite of Spring’, a six-track descent into a world of shadow, sweat, and distorted synthesisers. The latest from the creative vehicle of producer and vocalist Benjó James, the new EP is a six-track collection that aims to provide that timeless, intoxicating feel of stumbling into a hedonistic, dimly lit nightclub at 3:00 AM.
Released via Bad Baboon and recorded at the Crack Den, it is a piece of work that wallows in brief, conflicting moments of industrial rock, dark wave, and witch house, looking to balance grim atmospheres with a cynical wit. The overall result, however, is arguably Flowers for Juno’s palest offering so far.
The EP opens with the confrontational pairing of 'Buckcherry Wrote a Song About Girls Like You' and 'I go to strip clubs but just for the music', two tracks that lash out with incendiary potential and explore themes of power, submission, and late-night impulses. What arrives is a murky, combative sound that never quite feels relatable, understandable, or necessary. The musical moments within 'Buckcherry Wrote a Song About Girls Like You' act as a bright point of focus, offering an enjoyable mix of bright, kaleidoscopic synths and relentless percussion that often feel pummelled by the vocals and overbearing distortion.
In similar fashion, 'I go to strip clubs but just for the music' feels as though it continues to value shock over artistry. The driving guitar lines and grunge feel in the opening moments bring hope that is quickly dashed by waves of distorted vocals and spiking synths. Together, the opening tracks create a sense of what could have been. They’re defiant and aim to be confrontational, but that desire ultimately becomes the weakest part of both tracks.
Salvation looms in the form of ‘Dolphin Girl’, a previous single that effortlessly bridges subversion with accessibility. Here, Flowers for Juno is back at its best, layering dense, swirling production and almost-angelic arrangements with dark bursts of vocals. It’s a track that provides an enjoyable reprieve from the earlier tracks, revitalising the EP with a touch of cohesion. In the closing moments of the EP, ‘Strippernaut' balances an undercurrent of funk and jagged 8-bit sounds to act as an intriguing palate cleanser, while ‘Crack Den Blues’ drags you into a suffocating atmosphere of hazy vocals, siren-like synths, and overarching industrial tones.
Acting as a more poised counterpoint to the opening two tracks, ‘Crack Den Blues’ is dragged through a gritty realism that gives it a sense of authenticity. It’s tense, expressive, and balanced, offering a far less corrupted vocal line that lighten the weight and make it more accessible.
Closer 'louisekeeble.jpg / Scratch My Itch (intro)' brings the EP to a close on a light note, borrowing elements from Playboi $alad’s 'G.W.B' to add to the blend. It’s a track that weaves extended synthesiser drones with brief rhythmic movements and amusing distractions. Offsetting the gritty sounds of ‘Crack Den Blues’, the closing track revels in brighter movements and syncopated sounds, offering a closing moment that is enjoyable, but not essential or overtly innovative.
An EP that aims for gritty, uncompromising tracks filled with shock and venom, but comes off as indifferent, ‘The Rite of Spring’ is an experimental step into turbulent and divisive territories.
You can stream the new EP now, and to keep up with future releases and updates, make sure to follow Flowers For Juno on Instagram and Facebook.
