Durand Jones & The Indications: Flowers [Album Review]

Durand Jones & The Indications
Flowers
Dead Oceans [2025]

“Flowers doesn’t chase trends; it floats above them, soulful and self-assured.”

Album Overview: Durand Jones & The Indications came together in 2012 when a group of students at Indiana University bonded over a shared love of classic soul and funk. Now four albums in, the group—Durand Jones (vocals), Aaron Frazer (drums/vocals), Blake Rhein (guitar), Steve Okonski (keys), and Michael Montgomery (bass)—have carved out a space of their own by blending throwback sounds with modern polish. On Flowers, they sound more at home than ever. The record plays like a warm reunion—vulnerable, refined, and rooted in deep chemistry. It was recorded mostly in Rhein’s Chicago studio, bringing the group back together after time spent on solo projects: Frazer’s silky Introducing…, Jones’s raw and personal Wait Til I Get Over, Rhein’s crate-digging production work, and Okonski’s instrumental jazz-soul album Magnolia. Each of those detours left a mark, and here, it all clicks—Flowers is smoother, more emotionally open, and effortlessly confident because of them.

Musical Style: Flowers glides through smooth soul, slow-burn disco, and quiet storm R&B with ease. Mid-tempo grooves, analog synths, strings, and layered background vocals give the album a lush, vintage feel without sounding stuck in the past. The interplay between Jones and Frazer is as strong as ever—each voice lending a different shade to the mood. There’s a relaxed energy here: not sleepy, but unhurried, as if the band knows exactly where they’re going and is happy to take the scenic route.

Evolution of Sound: Compared to American Love Call or Private Space, Flowers is less about big hooks and more about emotional depth. The band sounds more unified, like they’re writing with one mind but multiple hearts. Instead of chasing a retro vibe, they lean into honest songwriting and easygoing arrangements. Years of touring and solo exploration have sharpened their instincts—this album isn’t about proving anything, it’s about embracing who they are now.

Artists with Similar Fire: If you’re into modern soul with heart and atmosphere, this one’s for you. Think Bobby Oroza, Curtis Harding, Thee Sacred Souls. There are flashes of Rhye’s sensual minimalism and Michael Kiwanuka’s warmth. For fans of older grooves, Flowers nods to the lushness of The Delfonics, the smooth soul of Marvin Gaye, and the socially aware grace of Curtis Mayfield. And if Nick Waterhouse is in your rotation, you’ll find a similar vintage cool here.

Pivotal Tracks: “Been So Long” sets the mood right—an easy, soulful glide that feels like catching up with an old friend. “Flower Moon” is a dreamscape, all falsetto and sparkle, built for late-night drives or slow dances. “Really Wanna Be With You” wraps a bittersweet longing in strings and nostalgia, while “Lovers’ Holiday” is pure bliss—a candlelit daydream with just enough edge to keep it grounded. These tracks showcase the band’s growth: subtler arrangements, clearer emotion, and vocals that hit with grace, not force.

Lyrical Strength: The lyrics on Flowers land with quiet power. This is grown-up soul—not in a buttoned-up way, but in how it talks about love, growth, and self-understanding without drama or disguise. Jones sounds more centered, reflecting on insecurity and identity with calm honesty. Frazer brings his signature smoothness and gentle yearning. Together, their voices tell stories that feel lived-in and honest, more like journal entries than performances.

Final Groove: Flowers doesn’t shout to get your attention—it draws you in with warmth, maturity, and a vibe that sticks. It’s not a reinvention, but a glow-up: smoother, wiser, and more emotionally in tune than anything they’ve done before. While it may not have the immediacy of earlier records, it rewards deep listening with its subtle craftsmanship. With Flowers, The Indications prove that growth doesn’t have to mean leaving your roots—it just means blooming with more color. Wherever they go next, you can count on them to move with heart and harmony.

DURAND JONES & THE INDICATIONS REVIEW HISTORY
Private Space (2021) / American Love Call (2019) / Durand Jones & The Indications (2016)

DURAND JONES REVIEW HISTORY
Wait Til I Get Over (2023)

AARON FRAZER REVIEW HISTORY
Into The Blue (2024) / Introducing… (2021)

OKONSKI REVIEW HISTORY
Entrance Music (2025) / Magnolia (2023)

DURAND JONES & THE INDICATIONS LINKS
Website | Instagram | Bandcamp | Dead Oceans