Raynes are a British-American trio who debuted on our blog in 2024. They’ve had an impressive career to date, with six singles, three EPs, and millions of plays. Their latest release is the Bloom EP.

By Graeme Smith

As the title suggests, Bloom explores themes of growth and renewal. It’s a vibrant and folksy collection of seven tracks characterised by smooth vocals, storytelling lyrics, and rousing, emotional instrumentals. Its sound and point of view are typified by opener Pulling Teeth (I Feel Like She Knows). There’s a restrained romanticism about it that makes it instantly captivating.

Turn It and Twist combines a visceral narrative with a bright and dynamic instrumental. Your Mouth Is a Garden is an early, pacy highlight in which the vocals truly shine. Goldfish sits at the heart of the EP, giving us pensive, plucked layers and a message of expanding one’s horizons.

Rainbow Baby strips things back for a moment that allows its encouraging lyrics to take centre stage. The big finish of It’s So Quiet Without You proves another highlight before the EP is rounded off by the simmering, cinematic soulfulness of Say That You Want It.

Raynes was formed when Mat Charley and Joe Berger, both born and raised in North Dakota, USA, came across a video of Brit Mark Race on Instagram and fell in love. Signed with Sony Music Publishing, they make a powerful folk pop akin to Mumford & Sons or Coldplay.

Bloom is out now and you can give it a listen below.