Electronic three-piece Zola Blood have dropped their long-awaited second album ‘Black Blossom’, out 1st April.
A twelve-track, self-released LP, ‘Black Blossom’ is an exploration into the pitfalls of the internet – more specifically how social media has become “hugely polarising” and transformed the way we communicate with each other.
Kicking off proceedings, ‘Indigo Skies’ is a meditative, slow-burning electronic creation that immediately sets the tone. Next up is ‘It Never Goes’, the first of three single releases across the album. A deep, atmospheric cut punctuated by impassioned vocals, fluttering synths and captivating melodies, it’s a powerful track that leaves a lasting impression.
Further singles come in the form of the affecting, emotion-driven electronica of ‘For The Birds’, and closing track ‘What Matters Now’, a pensive ballad punctuated by impassioned vocals that ensures Black Blossom finishes on a sombre note.
Elsewhere, further highlights come in the form of the upbeat synth-pop of ‘The Way It’s Gone’, the Kraftwerk-inspired ‘Bright Eyes’, the organic-infused electro of ‘22:58’ and the contemplative electronica of the title track.
The release precedes a twelve-date European tour, kicking off in Antwerp on 6th April. There are further shows in the likes of Paris, Munich and Amsterdam, before finishing up in Zurich on 28th April.
“For the most part the record is about the internet and how’s it’s fucking us all up,” Zola Blood explain. “The years since we released Infinite Games have been such a horror show – where do you even start? It feels like people are angrier than ever.
They continue: “A lot of the songs came from just reflecting on what I’d seen online from people. It’s interesting the behaviour change the internet and particularly social media has driven. Like how someone who might be regular law-abiding person can reach a point where they feel comfortable sending a rape threat to someone who they happen to disagree with. The internet has created the conditions for that to happen and basically be okay.”
Having toured with Rufus du Sol, collaborated with Claptone and performed at festivals across Europe, Zola Blood have built up a loyal fanbase in recent years. Finding a middle ground between techno and dream pop influences, they released two early EPs before dropping their debut album Infinite Games in 2017, a self-produced record that won praise for its “delicacy and dark beauty”. Their latest release was the ‘Two Hearts’ EP back in 2020, the lead single of which was featured in the 2021 series of Gossip Girl.
Their largest and most expansive body of work to date, ‘Black Blossom’ cements Zola Blood as one of the finest electronica outfits on the planet.
European Tour Dates
6-Apr – Antwerp, Kavka Oudaan
8-Apr – Paris, Les Étoiles
9-Apr – Cologne, Helios 37
10-Apr – Munich, Kranhalle
12-Apr – Warsaw, Hydrozagadka
15-Apr – Budapest, Dürer Kert
17-Apr – Vienna, B72
19-Apr – Prague, Rock Cafe
21-Apr – Berlin , Frannz
25-Apr – Hamburg, Häkken
26-Apr – Amsterdam, Paradiso
28-Apr – Zurich, Exil
