92. Single Review of The Ephemera of Flowers by Coral Rites

Originally Published on February 20th, 2025

About the Artist

There are a number of reasons why I am grateful for writing reviews for Fifteen Minutes of Fame. The one I want to talk about today is discovery. For starters, I must admit my own ignorance. Having been involved in the music industry for decades, I operated under the naive assumption that I was familiar with just about every genre of music, to a degree. However, up until October, though I knew what spoken-word poetry was, I didn’t consider it a genre of music; even though I definitely considered it a form of art. I categorized it as literature. 

Then I discovered the music of one of the most influential people I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing, Circumstantial Saint. It’s actually kind of “poetic,” that he would introduce me to this genre. It’s been an eye opening experience. Needless to say, his recommendations are not to be taken lightly. 

Also from Pennsylvania, Coral Rites is a spoken word poet “known for creating visceral pathways through deep emotional and systemic processing.” (Spotify) Like Circumstantial Saint, they are very active in their community, working tirelessly to bring cultural awareness. They are also very passionate about urban agriculture. There is a lot of passion and compassion that is put into the music performed by Coral Rites.

As a featured artist on albums like THE FIRE I BUILT. (THE REMIX ALBUM), remember my name./the other cut, and BLACK HISTORY VOL. III, it wasn’t until this year that Coral Rites would release their own album.

On February 1st, Coral Rites released their debut album, Something Softer than Saturn, a 16-song, 74 minute spoken word album. Releasing through Crybaby records, this album showcases the incredible talent that Coral Rites possesses. Songs like Crybaby, featuring Circumstantial Saint, the album opener, namesake, and trance-like electronic influenced works like The Blasphemy of Light. 

As far as debuts go, Coral Rites seems to have jumped in fearlessly with both feet; there seem to be no new artist “jitters.” In fact, listening to this record, I hear an accomplished musician who lets their passion out with every single track, enthusiastically. 

About the Song

The Ephemera of Flowers is a spoken-word record from the debut album, Something Softer than Saturn, by the Pennsylvania artist, Coral Rites. At nearly six minutes, it is a transitional piece; pulling inspiration from genres like hip hop, techno, electronic music, and house/trap music. It was released through the independent record label, Crybaby Records, on February 1st, 2025.

About the Music

The production of the music is complex, dynamic, and determined. It has an air of anxiousness, or despataration to it, to start. It then transitions to a sequence that gives the impression it is “in the trenches.” The percussion moves in and out of the track, giving a volatility to the mood that is exciting. There are a variety of synths that bring out the melody of the music that adapt each phase of the song to the moods they inspire. 

Additional effects, like the sounds of birds, give the song a more elemental, organic vibe. I really like this effect, as the track is likely produced digitally, using no live instruments. However, it still has a very natural feeling. 

The production choices are expertly made with this sound as every pan, every level sounds as if they were thoughtfully considered. The effects, like reverb, echos, etc. are incorporated in a way that do not oversaturate the track. This also adds to the organic tone of the music.

This is a great sounding track. It has been produced very well. 

About the Lyrics

Lyrically, Coral Rites is elaborate, articulate, imaginative, and captivating. They have an eloquence with how they speak from analogy, then incorporate the analogy to literal meaning. They have a special way of describing the internalization of feelings in response to things, like listening to a song that was introduced to them.

I love the opening passage of their poem:

“Driving past fields, the dew of morning still clinging to my rear view window.

More than new houses rising from dirt mounds.

Poppies, buttercups, and chicory.

A surprising discovery, given the concrete context.

I never look for flowers along side dusty roads.”

Here, they have perfectly narrated a complex process of thought. This sounds like it may have been the start to a day. I think about how I begin my days in thought. How chaotic my mind is are it jump-starts the day’s agenda. It’s almost madness if I try to organize it in any way. Yet here, Coral Rites has done it, and furthermore, it’s beautiful to listen to. 

Final Thoughts

In a matter of months, I have gone from a person who was completely unaware of the emerging world of spoken-word poetry, as it pertains to musical genres, to now being introduced to how diverse and impactful the genre can be. So far, none have been more influential than the spoken-word culture that is emerging out of Pennsylvania. Coral Rites, not even a month into releasing their debut album, has stepped onto a pedestal of prodigious artistic company. They have shown great promise by replicating the obvious yet elusive formula: lead with passion.

Coral Rites leads with passion. They are unashamed of their emotions. They fearlessly invite their listeners in to their inner thoughts. They illustrate canvases with love and tragedy, joy and trauma, constance and spontinaity. In a world where they are telling us to focus on and remember our natural beginnings, they have ironically cemented themselves as an elite performer.

You can follow Coral Rites on Spotify and Instagram.

You can also subscribe to their mailing list at their website right here

You can hear The Ephemera of Flowers, along with the rest of the track list on their debut album, Something Softer Than Saturn, which released on February 1st, 2025.