flor - the little band that can
Flor—stylized as “flor”—is a pop band hailing from Oregon that has been making sugary, yet soulful, pop tunes since 2014. The band consists of three members: Zach Grace (lead vocals, keyboard), Dylan Bauld (bass), and Kyle Hill (drums). To most people, flor sounds like any other pop band, and in a way, they would be right. Unlike the pop that we can hear on the radio, however, something about this band feels different—combining that pop sensibility with storytelling, a sense of nostalgia, and powerful points of musicality that combine into a fantastical release that you can’t help but hold on to.
Flor follows traditional pop song format, but don’t let that distract you from the insightful instrumentals that are bursting with color and emotion, and also the lyrics. Each song this band releases is one of a kind, such as their song “Overbehind,” which starts with “Breathe in, it's alive / Outta control, it grows wild / You can't be scared / You can't keep doubt / You'll never learn / Turn back around.” These simple lyrics bring the listener in to not only hear more but provide substance for the song.
The song then continues with an immediate chorus: “Take it in light, you can keep it / I don't mind, I don't mind / Keep it in sight, you can leave it … Placing its ghost in your story … But you can't live over your shoulder / Over behind.” This song does all it can to hammer in its theme, as evidenced by these lines, but it doesn’t stop there. Each refrain of this song possesses something unique, except the chorus, which does repeat but does so to reinforce the innate theme of the song.
Another great example of this band’s lyricism is their song “dancing around,” which, within its chorus, says, “I can't wait / I've been longing / To be dancing around again I can't wait / I've been longing / To be dancing around again.” Not only great in the musical department, but the lyrics once again establish a theme. It might be mild, but they hit that sweet spot in storytelling, as does the music; everything hits right in the heart with its passion-filled bursts.
Flor doesn’t only use the traditional drop for superficial purposes. They use drops and flutters for impactful moments that allow the listener to see what they find so impactful about these themes. The use of bright synths and instruments and their music make them super addictive, comparable with your average pop song. The difference is it isn’t engineered to grab your attention; it only happens to be like this. They make this type of music because they love it, and the best part is that it’s their own flavor of music for people to enjoy, unique to them. They are simultaneously pop while rejecting the pop culture norms traditionally embraced by one in the field, simply being themselves and making what they love.
You can listen to flor on all your common and uncommon music streaming services. Listen to them, and I guarantee you’ll find a pop band that’s worth being surprised by.
Thumbnail Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons