The backbone of Roots Rock duo Larkin Poe is two sisters majestically swaggering through beaded string curtains, unapologetically clad in boots, with a guitar in one hand and a new collection of songs in the other.
This bold new album, Bloom, is a follow-up to 2022’s Blood Harmony. The ladies’ seventh overall is composed of eleven musical petals intertwined to create a musical rosette that wafts its energetic, vibrational fragrance into space. Released on January 24, 2025, through Tricki-Woo Records, the alluring set of tracks is, of course, available digitally for streaming, but you can also pick up on cassette, vinyl, or CD via the duo’s website or Amazon.
Looking deeper inside, the sisters, Megan and Rebecca Lovell, were inspired to create this dynamic band out of their mutual love for Blues and Rock rhythms. Over the years, they continually experimented and fine-tuned their sound until they finally achieved a distinctive musical signature to share with the world.
With that in mind, what makes Bloom so special? It is an ode to the awakening of the inner heart fire ignited by the power of love. For those who have experienced it, in the blink of an eye, it causes us to soar and somersault in the sky and, in another, crash and burn when heartbreak rips apart its ethereal wings.
Furthermore, Bloom examines the joy, ethereal beauty, and angst that love can bring to the soul. It also examines societal expectations of gender roles and questions their validity. The musical compositions serve as a balm to the heart center, with empathetic lyrics from those who have been smitten and survived the aftermath of being scorched by love.
With all of this in mind, there are a few standout pieces that are sure to become a go-to favorite. For example, “Bluephoria” hurls itself forward as an energy ball and sets off a round of pyrotechnic blue lights. The music is bold and transforms itself into a complex swirl of soul and a giddy sense of triumph. The throaty vocals are sassy, accentuated by some wailing high-frequency guitar play. This is while the drawn-out chorus sounds like a fist-pumping cheer, and the guitar solos are sizzling hot mechanical oscillations!
There is also “If God is a Woman,” which rolls softly with a hammering drum tempo. The lilting vocals complement the mesmerizing guitar harmonics. The chorus’s fade-out is like an exclamation mark at the end of a sentence. The chorus, “If God is a Woman, the Devil is too,” unabashedly examines gender expectations of divinity and ponders whether the societal definition of gender roles is accurate.
Later, “Easy Love, Part 1” begins with whiny guitar riffs and seductive vocals that belt out the red-hot passion felt for a man with a guitar. This song is readily relatable, as a musician can be magnetically attractive merely by playing an instrument. Love and desire are definitely in the air.
Beyond these songs, the remainder of Bloom fits together like a glove. It explores the nuances of love and heartbreak that we all experience at one point or another in romantic relationships and probes societal perceptions of gender roles. It also conveys the heartfelt emotions one experiences as one goes through the various stages of a romantic relationship.
In short, Larkin Poe’s evolution is palpable, and the mists of illusion have dissipated. Magnetic, energetic, and gutsy, Bloom offers a melodic cocoon of comfort and introspection. That is why Cryptic Rock gives this floral bouquet 5 out of 5 stars.
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