Album Review: Petals and Pain: The Devil Wears Prada’s Flowers Unfold

Nearly two decades into their career, The Devil Wears Prada continue to defy expectations. They have never been afraid to evolve, but “Flowers” feels like a full bloom. This album is a reflection on where they’ve been and where they are heading. It’s heavy, heartfelt, dark, beautiful, and a reminder that even the darkest bands can still find light in bloom. 

“Flowers” opens with “That Same Place,” an eerie voicemail that sets the emotional tone of where this album will take you. “I used to believe that if I got everything that I wanted, maybe then I would be happy.” This straightforward statement resonates deeply. Combined with the piano and violin, it prepares listeners for what lies ahead.  

“That Same Place” flows into the single “Where the Flowers Never Grow.” This track blends more polished melodic hooks with some of the heavier roots that the band is known for in previous records. What is remarkable is the band's ability to perfectly balance a catchy beat and chorus while simultaneously having deep lyrics that reflect on struggle and loneliness.

“Everybody Knows” starts out with a moody synth beat that reminds me of what I would hear in a drum and bass track. It has a sense of tension building up, but the release doesn't come when you may think. The pre-chorus cuts to just a raw guitar tone and Jeremy singing cleans before the full band comes in. Hearing Jeremy and Mike switch between clean and raw vocals enhances the emotional depth of the lyrics. I can see why some longtime fans may not like the structure of the song because it’s more melodic and less heavy, but I appreciate the band adding layers and textures and the willingness to experiment with rhythm.

“So Low” continues to explore sound textures with synths, giving it an atmospheric intro. The song progresses to the heavier sound we know the band is capable of, with a dynamic shift from an ambient intro to chunky guitars and an interplay of clean/melodic and raw vocals. The lyrics touch on the subject matter of when everything feels flat or meaningless. “Tell me why the highs always feel so low / I only feel alive when I lose control.” This reinforces the concept of chasing highs only to end up even lower than before. 

“For You” feels polished and is the perfect song to showcase the evolution of sound this album explores. The opening line “maybe I’m out of my mind / but it’s fine” sets a tone of emotional turmoil. The chorus, with both Jeremy and Mike singing and screaming “I’ll do it for you, you / I do it for you, you” in the second chorus, really amplifies the emotion and the hopelessly devoted love story they are conveying. You feel the self-sacrifice and devotion they are willing to face for love. The song also retains their heavier side with a breakdown section that has aggressive vocals and heavy riffs, which flow well with the melodic and emotional verses and choruses. 

"All Out" is the most intense track on "Flowers" and evokes the sound of 8:18 or The Act. Unlike "For You" or "So Low," "All Out" immediately launches with chugging riffs and blast beats that hit the listeners right between the ears. The verse keeps the energy going while the chorus brings a nice contrast with a melodic sound, giving the listeners a moment to breathe. "All Out" also has one of the most forceful breakdowns and outros the band has composed for "Flowers." Despite its heaviness, the synths bring an atmospheric tone to it that makes it vibe.

"Ritual" features one of the most infectious synth riffs as an introduction on "Flowers." The driving drum groove mixed with the guitars and synths makes it a standout track on the album. The verse establishes the tone of disillusionment, and the chorus hook is memorable while carrying the lyrical weight of the track. "Ritual" blends synths and other electronic elements with heavy, gut-punching guitar riffs that showcase the evolution.

“When You’re Gone” is a darker, grittier song compared to the rest of the album. The song doesn’t hide the lyrics in catchy melodies; it's vulnerable and full of heavy emotional weight. The darker tones and ambient textures lean into the lyrics, which gives a sense of absence and trying to hold onto something when it’s slipping away.

“The Sky Behind the Rain” is an interlude track on the album. It’s brief, only being 1:07, but it’s powerful. It gives the listeners a breather from the heaviness, but it could also represent so much more. It could represent the sky behind the rain after the emotional downpour from songs like “When You’re Gone” and “So Low” that were in the first half of the album.

In a sense, the song sets the stage for what lies ahead for the listeners.

“The Silence” really leans into the atmosphere by trading guitars for synth-pop tones. It leans into mood and reflection rather than aggression. The song has a total vibe with one of the catchiest choruses on the album, and the tones and overall vibe remind me of cyberpunk-esque. I wish that this was a single because it would have shown fans how much the band has evolved their sound.

“Eyes” is my personal favorite track on the album and will be a sleeper hit. It has everything that “Flowers” is pushing with its evolved sound. The song is a journey that has this push and pull with tension, raw emotion, and melodic cleans. The lyrics feel like they are yearning for clarity with lines like “give me eyes, let me realize.” It captures the theme of “Flowers” and has the best haunting lyrical line of the album: “Heaven’s been cheating the hell outta me.”

“Cure Me” balances the synth-pop elements we hear in “The Silence” and the chorus and melodic interlude you hear in “Eyes.” The song showcases maturity and an inward focus. Both Jeremy and Mike's vocal tones are vulnerable, complemented by Jonathan's equally tender synth chords. “Cure Me” is a melodic song through and through with subtle synths, echoing guitars, and ambient touches, rather than just raw breakdowns.

“Waves” is an emotional and atmospheric song that is unlike any of the other tracks on “Flowers.” It has a slower tempo, allowing listeners space to feel rather than just move. It’s reflective and acknowledges fear but also has a sense of hope moving towards resolution. Jeremy’s vocals bring a sense of calmness, and Mike’s distant screams add to the melodic atmospheric sound. “Waves” is another standout track for The Devil Wears Prada and is a song I hope I can sing along to in a live environment.

“My Paradise” is the closing track, and what a way to end the story. “Flowers” talks about love, loss, frustration, anger, struggle, and “My Paradise” is about acceptance. It’s about finding peace in everything rather than always wanting more. The lyrics suggest that maybe embracing imperfection will bring happiness rather than constantly chasing the idealized version of happiness. It’s truly a beautiful way to end “Flowers.”   

The production and mixing/mastering are phenomenal on “Flowers.” You can still hear the band's heavier metalcore roots while also hearing more synth-driven atmospheric elements. You hear raw, unpolished creativity in some sections, while in others, you hear polished professionalism. This could be because the album was recorded in both L.A. and Arkansas, with two drastically different environments allowing for creativity to flow. I have listened to “Flowers” a handful of times on different devices, and the quality is exceptional. Well done to whoever mixed and mastered it.

The only issue I have with “Flowers” is the singles they chose to release. After listening to the album the first time, I went back and just listened to the singles, and it only felt like they were telling one side of the story. “Flowers” is the closest thing to a double album without calling it a double album, and the singles were mostly from the first half of the album. Personally, I would have released “Where the Flowers Never Grow,” “For You,” “Ritual,” “The Silence,” and “Waves” or “Eyes.” I feel like that selection of songs would really showcase the evolution of The Devil Wears Prada while keeping some hidden gems unavailable until release.

With “Flowers,” The Devil Wears Prada manages to continue to sound fresh without losing their bite. They are self-aware, and this is present here with how honest it feels. “Flowers” is less about the chaos and more about clarity. This album doesn’t just show fans how far the band has come, but how much they’ve grown into themselves over the last two decades. “Flowers” is proof that evolving can sound beautiful.

"Flowers" will be available for purchase and streaming on November 14^th, 2025. You can see The Devil Wears Prada perform live as they join Ice Nine Kills and Creeper for several UK dates from November 19^th, 2025 to December 12^th, 2025.