Song Review: “Play It Back” by Yet to Bloom

Yet to Bloom has been everywhere. Though they are a Boston-based band, they all grew up in different parts of the US and Hong Kong. Their multi-cultural background and then all coming together at Berklee College of Music has given them enough perspective to create a musical space for people to acknowledge that there are things that can hold us back but also allow us to envision a brighter future. This hopeful theme has been present throughout all their songs, and their latest release, “Play It Back,” is a wonderful addition to their collection of songs. 

“Play It Back” is a song that is equal parts nostalgic and refreshing. Instrumentally it sounds like it's an early 2000s pop punk track- like something you’d hear from The Academy Is or Yellowcard, but vocally and lyrically speaking it is very modern with evident inspiration from newer bands like Meet Me @ The Altar and State Champs. It’s almost as if you stepped into a time machine for the shortest time travel trip imaginable and then immediately got sent back into the present day. It’s very rare to see newer bands be able to successfully pull inspiration from both bands who have been around for awhile and newer ones AND combine them both, but Yet To Bloom did just that and was very successful in the process. This song shows that they’ve been heavily inspired by the old and new, but also show us what Yet to Bloom’s sound is- its original and timeless simultaneously. Whatever they are doing is working so they should keep at it. 

Thematically- it’s refreshing. A lot of artists within the pop punk/pop rock genre often write about the people in their lives, mental health, and relationships. While “Play It Back” does dabble in the “songs about mental health” category, it talks about a more personal, internal struggle that many people don’t talk about-being fully comfortable in the present. The lyrics are simple, but the raw emotion and brutal honesty in vocalist Claire Hudson’s voice allows listeners to truly connect with her/the band and help people understand they’re not alone with these types of feelings.

Listening to their earlier tracks and now listening to “Play It Back,” Yet To Bloom is a band to keep your eyes on because with each track they keep getting better and better. Prior to this release, while the songs on their EP Ashes, Ashes are still very good, you can tell they’re still trying to figure out what is the right sound for them. With “Play It Back,” it’s clear that they’ve spent enough time as a band prior to this release and finally locked in what their sound is and it’s evident that the only way is up for them. Yet To Bloom is a band you definitely should be keeping your eyes on, because they are just getting started and the future is VERY BRIGHT for them. 

Yet to Bloom is out wherever you stream your music so be sure to check it out and add it your playlist because you will be missing out if you don’t!