Florist’s New Album ‘Jellyfish’: A Beautiful Dive into Chaos
Florist ’s fourth studio album, Jellywish, is a masterful exploration of life’s uncertainties. It shows minimalist folk, ambient textures, and surreal storytelling. The album balances the mundane and cosmic, offering comfort amidst existential chaos.
Emily Sprague, Florist’s lead singer and songwriter, describes Jellywish as “a gentle delivery of something chaotic, confusing, and multifaceted”. This sentiment permeates the album’s ten tracks, which combine delicate instrumentation with profound lyrics. The opening track, “Levitate”, uses finger-picked acoustic guitar and Sprague’s contemplative storytelling. Lyrics like “Should anything be pleasure when suffering is everywhere?” bluntly pose how fulfilment can exist in a world filled with monotony and pain.
Jellyfish shows how magic and surrealism intertwine with reality. Tracks like “Have Heaven” establish this dreamlike atmosphere, using reflections on mortality with chants pleading for symbiosis between earthly and spiritual realms. The panoramic cover art emphasises this multidimensionality, evoking science fiction and mythology while wrapping the music in vibrant colours.
Lyrically, Jellywish embraces contradictions—joy and suffering, connection and isolation. Sprague’s whispered vocals feel intimate yet universal, making heavy themes accessible. Songs such as “Started to Slow” and “This Was a Gift” explore mortality and self-doubt while wrapping them in shimmering harmonies. The closing track, “Gloom Designs,” ties the album together with contemplative lyrics about humanity’s fragility and interconnectedness.
Critics have lauded Jellywish for its ability to blend weightless beauty with emotional depth. The album offers no definitive answers but instead encourages introspection and dreaming. Its nuanced approach to existential themes makes it a standout in Florist’s discography. As one reviewer noted, Florist presents “an alternative to the doldrums of day-to-day life” while challenging listeners to believe in magic.
