Blossoms, “Gary.”

Sometimes inspiration strikes in an unexpected place. On Blossoms‘ fifth album, the Manchester rockers used the heist of an eight-foot-tall fiberglass gorilla statue affectionally named Gary from a Scotland retirement home to guide them. Suddenly, Gary had a narrative arc in the form of the title track on the record and a divinely ‘70s-centric ode to the gorilla one day finding his way back home. The lyrics certainly can’t be accused of being derivative.

It’s that sense that’s reflected throughout Gary, with danceable anthems that recall pop and rock of decades gone by. Bangers like “What Can I Say After I’m Sorry,” “I Like Your Look” and “Slow Down” showcase the groove-heavy sound with a healthy dose of Charlie Salt’s bass leading the way.

The band collaborated with The Coral’s James Skelly (the album’s producer) and Jungle’s Josh Lloyd-Watson. Opening with jerky guitar riffs and synth undertones, “Big Star” tells of frontman Tom Ogden’s encounter with a famous journalist he was too shy to approach. Singing with a rasp, he concludes how he wants to be a star himself. It’s a rock and roll  jam that sets a fun tone for the rest of the album.

By letting its guard down, Blossoms allow themself to further explore their sound in a way that’s lively and unexpected. The band taps into a sense of storytelling and character building throughout the record, not just on songs about gorilla statues. “I Like Your Look” and “Nightclub” pull from ’70s glam rock with stories about crazy fashion and non-stop partying.

“My God it’s only Tuesday/ And I’m head to toe in Gucci,” Ogden sings in character on the former, a fashion anthem with trippy layered vocals and cool guitar breaks. The latter, a London nightlife story produced by Lloyd-Watson, brings an equally poppy energy.

“Now I’m outside sober/ And I’m getting colder/ But the back of the line seems so far,” Ogden sings. On top of the band’s infectious sound, his narratives remain one of the band’s biggest strengths. Most of the 10 tracks are quick and punchy, making the most of Gary in a short timespan. The grooves are tight, the hooks slick and the band’s harmonies locked in for the duration.

Despite its pop flare, the album isn’t all tongue in cheek; there’s also time for introspection. The quintet gets personal and nostalgic on “Mothers,” a sweet ode about Ogden’s and drummer Joe Donovan’s childhood friendship, instigated by the friendship of their mothers. It’s a trip down memory lane road over a New Wave melody.

“I think we should slow down/ Run into my arms now/ It’s like we forget how to love,” Ogden sings on “Slow Down,” a dreamy, retro-sounding crossover between synth-pop and soft rock.

“Cinnamon,” manages to bridge the best of both worlds. It’s a lighthearted coming-of-age bop. The band trades in heavy grooves and is more of a free-wheeling acoustic track with soaring melodies.

The band closes with a bang, and a change of pace, on “Why Do I Give You the Worst of Me,” a driving post-punk-influenced song with serrated guitar riffs and reverb-laden synth lines. Ogden does an admirable job delivering the wordy refrain alongside the band.

While Gary the Gorilla may never be found, what Blossoms did find is the key to further unlocking their creative spirit to entertain the masses.

Mike DeWald contributed to this story. Follow Dumisani Mnisi at Twitter.com/nairobi_1899 and Instagram.com/nairobi_1899.