SINGLE REVIEW: Koyo Bloom – Distance
With ‘Distance’, Koyo Bloom introduce themselves under their new name while holding tight to the spark that inspired the shift. The track feels like a message sent from one chapter to the next — reflective, a little nostalgic, but ultimately forward-looking, capturing the spirit of a band choosing to build everything with their own hands and stay as close to the creative pulse as possible.
Musically, the song bursts open with bright, jangling guitars, the kind of shimmering tones that instantly set a sunny, indie-leaning mood. The rhythm section settles into a laid-back groove, giving the whole track that effortless sway that makes it feel both familiar and refreshing. Sparkling vocals warm the edges, authentic and clear without drifting into polish, perfectly suited to the band’s renewed DIY ethos.
There’s a glorious indie glisten running through the production — crisp, energetic, and purposefully unfussy. The guitars trade between rhythmic strums and slightly angular flourishes, creating tension and lift in all the right places. It’s undeniably catchy, with a melody that feels built for repeat listens, not because it’s trying to be a hook machine but because it moves so naturally.
Sonically, there’s a soft nostalgia at play: echoes of 90s indie, Britpop brightness, and C86-adjacent charm, woven into something that still feels modern rather than retro. That subtle backward glance fits perfectly with the song’s theme — a postcard to a past life, viewed from the road ahead.
What really carries the track is its positive, celebratory energy. Even when it hints at distance, memory, or transition, the mood stays uplifted. It sounds like a band stepping into their next phase with clarity, excitement, and a renewed sense of ownership over their art.
A bright, rhythmic, wonderfully DIY indie gem — ‘Distance’ captures Koyo Bloom at the beginning of a new era, and it radiates the exact energy you’d hope for: fresh, warm, and unmistakably theirs.
