B-Side Guys

Musical archives often contain unexpected treasures. Denis Constantine’s instrumental track “In Bloom,” released in March 2014 but recently rediscovered, emerges from its decade-long hibernation as both time capsule and testament to the enduring appeal of classic indie rock textures.

Originally conceived as a potential soundtrack piece and finally shared years after its creation, the track immediately establishes atmospheric nostalgia through carefully constructed guitar melodies. Constantine’s self-described “mild guitar solo melody throughout” creates narrative progression without requiring vocals, demonstrating his instrumental storytelling capabilities developed since he first taught himself guitar after being inspired by bands like System of a Down, Linkin Park, AFI, and Placebo in the late 2000s.

The production evokes specific cultural touchpoints through sonic suggestion rather than explicit reference. Described by Constantine as capturing elements of “Woodstock, English Summer Rain, Flowers and the Youth,” the track creates impressionistic connection to these influences without resorting to obvious mimicry. This approach allows listeners to project their own nostalgic associations onto the instrumental framework, making the experience simultaneously personal and universal.

Most impressive is how Constantine balances technical precision with emotional expression. Having refused formal music school training before ultimately teaching himself on a Czechoslovakian Cremona guitar, his playing exhibits the rare combination of technical competence and unfettered creative instinct. This duality reflects his musical development through bands, post-hardcore production, and self-taught mastery of programs like Logic Pro and Guitar Pro during his formative years around 2011.

The arrangement demonstrates particular sophistication in its dynamic control. The track builds tension and release through subtle shifts in intensity rather than dramatic volume changes, creating emotional progression that compensates for the absence of lyrics. This structural approach reveals Constantine’s understanding that instrumental music requires particularly careful attention to pacing and dynamic variation to maintain listener engagement.

What makes “In Bloom” particularly intriguing is its status as reclaimed artifact. By releasing a composition initially intended for soundtrack purposes years after its creation, Constantine transforms private creative exercise into public offering. This temporal distance allows both creator and audience to appreciate the work from multiple perspectives—as contemporary listening experience and as historical document of Constantine’s artistic development during a period he describes as when “most of my true instrumental music base was written.”

The track ultimately succeeds as both standalone composition and invitation to explore Constantine’s broader catalog, proving that sometimes the most interesting musical discoveries are those that take the scenic route to release.