Richer in texture than the preceding ‘Seventeen Seconds’ (1980), the band’s third LP signifies further sophistication, ushering them from blasé adolescent ennui to deep spiritual exploration.

Whereas its immediate predecessors were more collaborative group efforts, ‘Bloodflowers’ shows Robert Smith fully reclaiming the artistic reins, just as he had eleven years prior with ‘Disintegration.’

The group’s first US release underscores not just the artful phrasings that seem to so easily spill from Robert Smith’s singular psyche, but also the band’s penchant for crafting songs with legitimate staying power.

In part because of its collective songwriting approach, the band’s seventh studio affair demonstrates their diverse aesthetic in spades.

Where its precursor ‘Disintegration’ deliberately delves into dark atmosphere, ‘Wish’ wanders freely—even ferociously—entreating vibrancy and play.