Silent Planet's new album Superbloom might promise a bold, new direction, but in many ways, it feels more like "justokay-bloom." While there are moments of ambition, much of the album seems to tread familiar ground, relying on riffs and sounds that listeners have likely encountered in other bands' discographies. Though these elements may come across as somewhat generic, the production quality is a saving grace, especially in terms of the instrumental performances.

The guitars are one of the standout features, sounding large and almost progressive, offering a rich, full-bodied tone that supports the album's heavier moments. The drums, too, are well-layered and provide a solid backbone throughout, though the cymbals feel a bit underemphasized in the mix—they could definitely benefit from being turned up slightly to add more of a punch. The production does falter in one key area: the clean vocals. In several instances, the vocals are so quiet that they almost disappear into the background, making it hard to fully engage with the lyrics. While this subdued approach might be intentional to contribute to the overall atmosphere of the album, the vocals could certainly be raised in the mix to offer a clearer presence without sacrificing the intended mood.

One of the more intriguing aspects of Superbloom is the integration of synthesizers, which lend a futuristic, otherworldly sound to many tracks. In the first half of the album, however, the synths don't always mesh well with the rest of the instrumentation, creating a somewhat disjointed feel in certain songs. However, as the album progresses toward the back end, the synths become more refined, blending more seamlessly with the other elements and adding to a more cohesive and atmospheric listening experience.

Despite these critiques, Superbloom isn't a bad album by any means. It has its share of interesting moments, particularly toward the latter half, where the fusion of atmospheric sounds and heavier riffs create something more compelling. While it might not fully live up to the bold expectations set by its title, the album still offers enough to make it worth checking out for fans of the genre, especially those who appreciate well-crafted production and a few standout tracks.

RATING:7/10