Bloom - The Light We Chase (Album Review)

Bloom – The Light We Chase
Released: 31st October, 2025

Lineup

Jono Hawkey // Vocals
Jarod McLaren // Guitar
Oliver Butler // Guitar
Andrew Martin // Bass
Jack Van Vliet // Drums

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Bloom’s emotional take on melodic hardcore hit a whole new level when they Sydney act released their debut album Maybe In Another Life. The conceptual record showcased the band’s ability to inject emotions into music, and channel passion into a record we gave a perfect ten. I am a firm believer that this record stands the test of time, and while Maybe In Another Life was my first foray into Bloom, I quickly understood why they’re one of the champion acts of the Australian music scene. Off the back of this album Bloom have taken their live performances through regional Australia and around the world, so the anticipation is high for what’s next. A taste of their next steps came through in my favourite song of 2024 ‘The Works Of You’, and today I’m here to tell you what I think about their sophomore album The Light We Chase.

‘Belrose’ serves as a melodic opener into the album which shifts up the pace to give you an idea on what to expect. The emotional guitar tones and Jono Hawkey’s impassioned screams about home feel so welcoming and familiar, and I know I’m in for a journey. The perfect cut into ‘Forget Me Not’ introduces us to some chunky bass flair courtesy of Andrew Martin, and the core sound of Bloom is in full force. The pacing of the song keeps you on your toes, and I like how the vocal layering/highlights change things up. The song asks what will be left at the end of it all, inviting an emotional self-reflection on how we will be remembered. It feels like the fading breakdown allows you some peace for this introspective before the next song.

‘Out Of Reach’ hooked me from the opening lines, “Never satisfied, I always pushed to have it all. The higher that I climbed, the further that I fall.” There’s only so many ways I can say this band hooks me in the feels, but holy shit it sinks in. Cleaner vocals are neatly balanced with predominant screams, and Jack Van Vliet’s dynamic drums retains the listener’s focus. The lighter tonality of the song still lends to a tough breakdown before things switch up with ‘Keep You.’ More alternative rock tones come to life in this catchy singalong. Movements’ Patrick Miranda lends his incredible voice that intertwines with Bloom’s cleaner work, highlighting further expansion of the sounds explored in the likes of ‘You and I’.

‘Glen Street’ returns the screams and pacing, however I took notice of the intricacies Jarod McLaren and Oliver Butler bring to the guitars. The riffs help to create a prominent noise for a dichotomy of screams and singing, until the song takes a slower turn. An introspective moment of quieter instrumentals serves as a perfect build to a powerful and emotive crescendo. ‘Life Moves On Without Us’ has a continued familiarity that differentiates itself primarily in a solid breakdown, and the listener is brought into ‘Act II.’ This song has me fucking hooked with the instrumental pacing and muting throughout, ensuring it’s bouncy in all the right places. The track’s powerhouse breakdown is infused with a dose of iconic vocal prowess from Jack Bergin, which feels right as we get into ‘Withered’. The heaviest song of the album made it’s first appearance on stage at Void of Vision’s final show, and this lead single still goes hard. The screaming of “8 years of my life”, the impassioned lyricism and heart wrenching instrumentals completely envelop this listener.

‘Only Sky’ dials things back with a softer intro that highlights Jono’s vocals. The highlighted screams lead into an ensemble of noise that coalesce into a heart touching third act of the song, and upon reflection this is my favourite song of the album. The acoustic-infused sounds of ‘Tongue Tied’ serves as a pleasant space to focus and enjoy the talents of Bloom and the beautiful voice of Mikaila Delgado of Yours Truly. While this isn’t a track I expect when I listen to Bloom, and I am unsure on how many future listens this will receive, I can’t deny that this is a beautifully crafted song that broadens the emotive scale this band can achieve. ‘Show Me Who I Am’ closes out the album with such good vibes that feel like the warm hug after this emotional catharsis of an album.

As a total package, The Light We Chase is Bloom’s most diverse offering yet. The chance to play around with new soundscapes does not interfere with what makes Bloom so appealing. They have an incredible ability to encapsulate the listener and channel emotions through music that make you feel a part of the band’s journey. Listeners feel an instant connection to the words that are sung or screamed along, and this is because of the intricate interplay of invigorating instrumentals with these touching lyrics.

‍The Light We Chase celebrates the journey Bloom are on and looks forward to the future. On the date this album drops, they’re in Europe on an all-Australian tour lineup and I can’t help but wonder what this band will get up to next. I slept on the Bloom train until Maybe In Another Life. Don’t make the same mistake I did. Wake up and get The Light We Chase in your ears.

Rating: 8.5/10
The Light We Chase is out October 31st via Pure Noise Records. Pre-order here.
Review by Tyler Lubke.