by Zuzu Lacey (@zu.lacey)
Having trudged through the mud and now in a period of rebirth, Meatbodies newest album Flora Ocean Tiger Bloom presents strength in transparency. Things have changed, yet their spirit remains uncrushable. As possibly their most expansive and open project thus far, Meatbodies breathe fresh air into this stand-alone triumph.
At the heart of the new Meatbodies album lies themes of indulgence and escapism. Flora Ocean Tiger Bloom presents bad and good long at war. Both sonically and lyrically, Flora boasts cohesiveness and is settled in its winding sound. Meatbodies confidently divulge into topics of both personal struggle and healthy pursuit. Their classic fuzzy tone runs throughout; the unusual charm of previous Meatbodies records shakes hands with newness. The groove is off-center and varied, with many of these tracks connecting yet taking on separate lives.
The lead single “Move” is a transportive seven minute track, traveling swiftly between twisted riffs and finding solace in mellowness. Chad Ubovich’s echoing vocals are hypnotic. Its a prime example of expecting the unexpected in Flora, the build ups and captivating drone-style groove from the get-go showcase Meatbodies unconventionality. The single’s energy is encompassed in the lyrics “move, move, walk on by”, summarizing this sense of evolution. The desire to push into a new state prevails here.
A pivotal direction turn in Ubovich’s life brought Flora Ocean Tiger Bloom into existence. Coming off the back of his personal struggles in Los Angeles, descending into fatigue and illness, recovery brought with it Flora. With the pandemic slowing the record’s progress too, the album is the captivating product of a life changing period. Ubovich’s own life motives, particularly reconnecting with the self, are parallel to the album’s central message. A sense of hardship and realignment weave their way into the record’s distorted moments; catchy horn sections and stripped back guitar reflect the integrating of moods.
New for Meatbodies is a Britpop influence, particularly stemming from Manchester’s 90s indie scene. Considered a nod to Brian Jonestown’s Massacre’s “Anemone,” Meatbodies single “Billow” presents an emotional shift and reversed interpretation of the song. Loosely inspired yet equally powered by psychedelia, the tambourine led track draws much of its inspiration from semi-strange soft rock. Ubovich’s vocals have distinct character akin to that of greats like Jane’s Addiction’s Perry Farrell, and instrumentation with kinetic airiness comparable to Spacemen 3. Both “Billow” and the greater album blend genres and influences seamlessly.
Having elevated their sound since playing a part in California’s garage rock resurgence, Meatbodies show more personality and aliveness than ever. Flora Ocean Tiger Bloom is nothing short of insightful and complex, at times humorous too. The neo-psychedelia speaks to onlooking a past identity, as though self-improvement is just on the horizon. With a tense backstory completely defining the record’s tone, Meatbodies utilize the dark to carve a path towards the light.