Flowers for Juno return with “The Rite of Spring”, a six-track EP released on May 20, 2026, through Bad Baboon. Fronted by Benjó James, the project moves through witch house, dark wave, and industrial rock, with touches of funk rock, and a restless energy that keeps the record in constant motion. The opening track, “Buckcherry Wrote a Song About Girls Like You,” sets a sharp tone right away. It is jagged and layered, refusing to settle into anything predictable. The sound feels dense but intentional, with each shift pulling the listener deeper into the EP’s world. That momentum carries into “I go to strip clubs but just for the music”, a track that had already given listeners a preview of this era. It still hits with the same raw edge, mixing heavy rhythms with an unsettling atmosphere in a way that feels lived-in rather than polished.
“Dolphin Girl” brings a different kind of pull, softer around the edges but still wrapped in distortion and tension. It is one of the more melodic moments, though it never fully relaxes. “Strippernaut” comes in fast and short, almost like a burst of static energy before it disappears. Then “Crack Den Blues” stretches out again, slower and heavier, with a mood that lingers long after it ends. The closing piece “louisekeeble.jpg / Scratch My Itch (intro)” samples “G.W.B” by Playboi $alad and closes the EP on a fragmented, experimental note that fits the unpredictable flow of the release. A large part of the identity here comes from Benjó James’ hands-on approach. Vocals, guitars, synth layers, turntables, keys, and production all come from a single creative space, giving the EP a unified but volatile character. Tyrion “Bigfoot” Jackson adds slap bass across several tracks, giving extra weight and movement where the arrangements need it most.
My view is simple. This EP feels fearless in how it builds its world without asking for permission. I also think it rewards patience, because repeated listens reveal small details that were easy to miss at first. “Rite of Spring” feels like a project that trusts its own instincts from start to finish. It does not aim for easy comfort, yet it still pulls listeners in through sheer personality and craft. It is a record that sits in its own lane and stays there without hesitation.
