"Bouquet" by Gwen Stefani is an album that explores the freeing, natural fulfillment that love has to offer, with soulful vocals and a country-pop sound.
TRACKLIST
Somebody Else's
Bouquet
Pretty
Empty Vase
Marigolds
Late To Bloom
Swallow My Tears
Reminders
All Your Fault
Purple Irises
Gwen Stefani is a pop icon and household name with three Grammy awards under her belt among other music accolades like Billboard Awards, MTV Music Video Awards, an American Music Award, and a Brit Award. With classic pop songs like "Rich Girl" and "The Sweet Escape" gaining a strong global audience for their catchy and exciting sound, Gwen's ever-growing discography captivates audiences. Front woman of the group No Doubt, a coach on the musical reality TV show "The Voice" for eight years, as well as a fashion and makeup designer, Gwen's wide range of talent spans beyond a sparkling solo career. Exploring country through collaborations with her husband, Blake Shelton, Gwen has put out country billboard-charting songs. She has an upcoming performance at the 2025 Pic-Nic Festival in Costa Rica, and has performed shows across the globe. With plenty of albums, singles, and EPs, Gwen Stefani gives fans a flowing discography of vibrant music and "Bouquet" is yet another sparkling addition to the collection.
Somebody Else's
Hindsight is always clearer, and this invigorating open to the album looks back on a bad relationship after having moved on for the better. Brightly basking in the joy that is her new, supportive romance, the speaker of this song flows through difficult truths of their past love. Lyrics like "I didn't know something so fake could really make it hurt so real" reveal so much about how the speaker now sees that first connection, expressing that need for something genuine and supportive. With a message to listeners to recognize when the love you have drags you down, and savor a love when it lifts you up, this track is full of wise words when it comes to romance. Bright electric guitar layers over pulsing electric chords and fast percussion to open the song. Gwen's vocals through the verse are breathy and rounded, moving higher into the chorus, hitting incredible notes and showing off her vocal power supported by background singing and vocalizing. Delving into energizing instrumentals near the end of the song, electric guitar takes over. Gwen's passionate and charismatic singing blend with the spirited guitar and percussion, starting the album off with a freeing track of growth in love.
Bouquet
The second song in the album is a romantic story of healing and growing together. Its lyrics explore the relationship between two people from their beginning of mourning separate breakups, onward to building a wonderful love, marriage, and connection. The chorus says "sunflowers and roses tied up in a bow, and now look at the life we made," painting an image of two people working together to take something natural and enhance its beauty. Beyond using flowers as a metaphor for the intense goodness of a romance that's right, this song takes a heart-warming delve into ideas of personal growth alongside one another. The track opens with a guitar picking pattern and percussion before the deep and confident singing brings on the verse. The chorus is energetic and high, warmly moving through the lyrics in a way that will play at your heartstrings. There is a definite country influence to the guitar and vocals in this track, drawing on the genre's comforting style in the heartfelt tune.
Pretty
The third track in this album is honest and open about insecurities, before exploring the freeing way the right person unlocked the speaker's self-love. Relatable lyrics open the track, exploring a negative self-image and fears about what other people think, with statements like "every wrong move is the one I make." With the help of love, the speaker's perspective changed and she now sees herself as pretty. Layered acoustic and electric guitar open the song before drums and Gwen's slow, soulful vocals join in. The chorus uses layered vocals and powerful singing to embody the uplifting change in the lyrics. Piano folds into the instrumentals as the vocals, percussion, and guitar continue warmly throughout the song.
Empty Vase
Slow guitar fingerpicking opens this heartfelt song about positive change and fulfillment. Using the metaphor of its title as the way the speaker feels, the lyrics express that love is the bouquet that beautifies and completes her. With words like "I've been to church, but you were the first to show me what it means to be faithful" bask in the sanctity of love, diving into soulful meanings of respect and devotion. Gwen's strong, deep singing enters the verse, working slowly through the lyrics with a country twinge to her sound. Percussion and piano compliment the gentle, happy tune, and layers of singing through the chorus and bridge emphasize the glowing feeling of love in the lyrics.
Marigolds
A romantic exploration of the speaker's love story that draws on Gwen's experiences, this emotional track will play at your heartstrings. The lyrics take you into the season, into the clothing, and into the moment with words like "dressed up like a country girl" acting as a fun little window into the start of the relationship. Truthful about the naysayers, this track tells listeners that it's okay if people do not understand your relationship so long as your connection is strong and supportive. Bold and exciting layers of electric guitar start the track before Gwen's exciting vocals join in, ascending with each line until the chorus brings in a high and bright tone. Bask in the uplifting feeling of finding love with this energetic track.
Late To Bloom
Reflecting on what could have been and enjoying what now is, this song wonders at what life would be like if the speaker had found her true love when they were younger. Enjoying the wonderful life the speaker and her partner have built, the lyrics are packed with romantic imagery like "we're driving in the truck under the full strawberry moon." Understanding that turning back the clock is simply not a possibility, the words "let's make up for lost time" are packed with meaning and love. Fast-paced acoustic strumming blends into electric guitar, keys, and percussion as Gwen's vocals capture a feeling of nostalgia in the verse and confidence in the chorus. Feel the power of a passionate love with this exciting track.
Swallow My Tears
The past has a way of creeping up on you, and this track takes on the difficult battle of old emotions impacting you even when the situation that caused them no longer exists. It's hard not to push other people away when you are struggling with feelings you developed from your experiences that don't involve them, and this song uses lyrics like "running, but not from you" to show the fight or flight response that can become ingrained in you even around supportive people. Slow acoustic guitar and soft vocals open the song as the soulful vocals dive into reflection. Electric guitar and fast-paced percussion pick up in the chorus along with intense, high singing that takes on the intensity of the emotions felt in the song.
Reminders
Savoring the good times with a steadfast determination to remain grounded in the present, this vulnerable track takes stock of the wonderful things in life. In some of its lyrics, the song wonders if the speaker's partner is able to face the parts of her she'd rather not relive, before being pulled back into to beauty of her current situation. Exploring the fruitful beauty the speaker has built, both for herself and in her new relationship, the lyrics say "plant a seed, a garden for a new life." Blissful layers of guitar and gentle percussion support Gwen's calm and happy singing through the verse, soulfully ascending into the chorus.
All Your Fault
When a love consumes you, the extremity of your devotion can be beautiful as well as uncontrollable. This emotional song explores the way a deep and intense love can take over your body and mind. Strong and beautiful lyrics like "I live for your touch and die for your kiss" reveal the exciting connection the speaker feels. Bright layers of guitar and Gwen's uplifting and deep vocals work slowly through the lyrics as drums join in. The chorus uses high signing and energetic instrumentals to emphasize that bright celebration of all-consuming connection. Experience the genuine power of love with the uplifting expression of devotion in this track.
Purple Irises
The final track in this album is a duet with Blake Shelton, country legend and Gwen's husband. This track is an uplifting expression of love and belonging, communicating the intense feelings that their relationship brings. Moments of questioning come through the track with lyrics like "wonder why you took a risk on a broken heart you cannot fix," before expressing how their connection is deep and mutual. Bright guitar, percussion, and Gwen and Blake's vocals give the song a sparkling warmth. With a call-and-response style through the verses, beautiful harmonizing, and layered vocals in the chorus, this duet offers a dynamic and passionate sound. The album ends with an uplifting exploration of love, with a warm and upbeat sound.
"Bouquet" is an incredibly uplifting album with lyrics that explore Gwen Stefani's perspectives on relationships and growth. Blending country and pop in these songs, Gwen's soulful vocals pick up a slight country edge, supported by twangy guitar. Flowers are woven throughout these songs as a metaphor for beauty and togetherness as the lyrics explore difficult emotions and experiences like building love after heartache, repairing self-love through romance, and dealing with unhealed wounds from past experiences. Capturing the magic of building two lives into one with ideas of family and togetherness, these songs will warm your heart through their genuine emotion. With a wholesome feeling of fulfillment integrated into the sound of this album, these songs will let you appreciate the love around you.
Written By Hanna Kowal
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