The moment you hear the opening beat of “Sound of Bloom”, it feels like sunshine coming through dark clouds. Max Barskih’s latest single thrives on the up-beat rhythms of afrahouse, but he never limits himself to just that. Barskih uses beats that almost sing, matching it to warm voices that grow and breathe. His music blends effortlessly and is easily danceable while not losing sight of the emotions behind the words. Everything about it has a shine to it: production that’s clean and full of color, lyrics that feel like a cold glass of lemonade on a hot day. Following the moody, more somber tone of “Stomach Butterfly” and the big, bold presence of “Someone New”, it feels like Barskih is finally smiling.
Barskih’s writing doesn’t get lost in metaphors or overthinking things. He sticks to what he’s feeling and what he wants: feeling good, letting go, and having fun amidst the craziness. Barskih has said that he wants to give people a “gift of summer” that’s not just shown in flowers and beaches, but “giving the gift of souls”. That message is there. Barskih is light, and you can hear that in his voice, but you can tell he means it. There’s something so charming about the simplicity of the hook: how it repeats and runs over the beat. You don’t forget it, not in a forced way, but because you didn’t know you needed to hear it. There’s a softness in the vocals, but the music is deliberate.
What makes “Sound of Bloom” stand out is how simple it is. Barskih doesn’t need to overdo it or be anything other than what it is, and that’s what makes it work. It’s not just another dance song, it’s an attitude lifter. It’s the music you want on in your car with your windows down. Barskih isn’t just being versatile: he’s proving that music can change the room. Barskih doesn’t just chase summer, he brings it to life.
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