Mike Bloom has been a tour de force in the music industry for a long time and has worked for some giants of the alt scene.
By Graeme Smith
Jenny Lewis and Julian Casablancas are among his collaborators. Recently, he’s been emerging as a solo act that is demanding as much attention as those he’s worked with.
Our relationship with Mike started earlier in 2025 when I chatted to him about his single, Natural Disaster. As well as sharing tales from the road, he confessed that his solo career had been “prompted by necessity.” His work simply needed to get out there.
I was glad that it had found its way to the light. Natural Disaster was a groovy, dreamy wonder. It was followed by Mountains, a track that was equal parts laidback and dramatic.
So, what does his newest release, SCARS, offer?
For a start, it’s an EP of six tracks, meaning we get a chance to get ever more immersed in his sound.
“These songs are like blood brothers,” says Bloom. “Across time, they somehow found their way to one another and became a whole other body, I guess. I’ve just had to recognise it and be the kind shepherd of these little spirit animals in musical clothing.”
Bloom’s style is unconventional yet familiar. The intro of opener Gaslight has us guessing what will unfold, but then it settles into a well-trodden indie folk composition. Bloom elevates it with a strong sense of authentic emotion and plenty of poetry in the lyrics. The chorus has a certain haunted feel about it that sticks with you. It entices you in for what’s to come next.
Damnedest Times has a rustic folksiness and a sense of the throwback about it. It wouldn’t be out of a place in the ‘60s. Its vibrant, searching energy makes it an early highlight.
I Want The Light sees Bloom’s vocal get growling during a low-down, stripped-back moment at the heart of the EP. “I want to spill my guts in a bucket list,” he purrs vaudevillian during a standout line.
Nice Knowing Me lightens things, though its bittersweet through the way its instrumental and lyrics work together. Sun Tea takes things in a dreamy, cinematic direction. There’s a hint of The Beatles about it. Devastator closes the EP with an understated drama. It’s a final highlight.
Self-produced by Bloom in his Los Angeles studio, Hello Caveman, SCARS is out now, and you can listen to it below.
Supported by Musosoup #SustainableCurator
