Album review: COMING UP ROSES – How Did We Fall So Far?

Bandcamp [Release date 20.06.25]

Coming Up Roses are a London-based quartet fronted by singer/bassist Emily Sera, who relocated from Singapore to the UK in late 2022 together with guitarist Darius Oon so they could pursue their dream of being in a band as a full-time career. They subsequently met and joined forces with guitarist Charlie Wilson and drummer Caleb Blake.

Emily says of the album’s themes, “we drew a lot on our personal emotional journey of our move to the UK and the record touches on things that people might not necessarily want to show the world. Although not everyone can relate to uprooting their lives, most people can relate to introspective struggles and the repercussions of things that keep them awake at night.”

Opener ‘Hello Miss Anxiety’ sets Coming Up Roses musical stall out, namely upbeat indie rock featuring plenty of frantic guitar riffs and the melodious vocals of Emily Sera. That said, ‘I’m In Bed’ takes a dreamy pop route and gives further proof of the vocal talents of Emily. No great surprise this was released as a single given its memorable chorus.

They kick out the jams on ‘Awake’, a song made for festivals, as it ebbs and flows, plus has a rather fine Muse like guitar solo.

‘Little Guy’ is one of the year’s best songs to date. Despite the downbeat lyric, the chorus and melody are simply stunning.

Coming Up Roses match their name with their debut album, one full melody, musical colour and most importantly, good songs. ***1/2

Review by Jason Ritchie

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