‘Bound to Break’ First Time Flyers album review

The First Time Flyers (FTF) formed in 2023 and have been on a continuous upward trajectory since releasing hit after hit, from ‘Jump’, ‘Gold’ and ‘Happier’ to their most recent release ‘Primadonna’ and their radio edit of ‘Happier’. Their debut album ‘Bound to Break’ was released 12th September 2025 and features 15 tracks exploring themes spanning heartbreak, healing and personal growth. I sense this is the first of many albums we’ll be seeing from FTF!

The band, comprises of Poppy Fardell, Vicki Manser, Tim Prottey-Jones and Jake Morrell and collectively provide a refreshing modern blend of Country, Pop and Rock genres. Personally, I want to term them the modern day ABBA, simply because, not only both being a quartet, but their ability to release amazing anthems that you can’t help but sing (and dance) along to.

Poppy details how “Every track is stitched from our real lives… The love, the loss, the laughter, the things we said and the things we wish we’d said."

The album includes energetic up-tempo songs such as ‘Happier’, ‘Gold’ and ‘Out of Your Mind’ yet also has gentle slower ballads such as ‘First Dance’ and ‘Looking Back Now’; the latter marking the journey that they’ve all gone on to get here and reminding us all to be more humble and grounded by our roots and heritage.

The album is well structured with the tracks, and whilst there’s 15 tracks on it, it leaves you both with wanting more songs as well as so many incredible ear-worms (and choreography too).

I find the album artwork a striking choice yet very on brand to the album title. ‘Bound to Break’ is believed to be the title following numerous questions to the band as to when they were going to release an album, and Poppy’s answer would always be along the lines of “We’re bound to break one out soon”. The title also gives a subtle reference to our tolerance and our own strength. Regardless of what is happening in our lives, we’re all ‘Bound to Break’ at some point, be that having a breakdown, or through limbs. A gentle reminder than we are only human and not invincible, yet the music will be a great legacy for the band and will stand the test of time.

Starting with ‘Jump’, the tone of the album is set, both in energy and beautiful articulate lyrics, filled with deep meaning, meaning that will resonate with many for a variety of reasons. ‘Jump’ starts with “You, you know that I, I’m trying to make a change” clearly portraying their journey, and one we can all relate with, constantly seeking to make ourselves better.

“They say don’t jump, because you’re only gonna fall” speaks to our mindset as to whether to even try and make a change. ‘They’ in this context can be external such as others, but also could be internal and be our inner voice too.

Moving forward to track four, ‘Looking Back Now’ really speaks to the nostaligia we all encounter. Reminiscing on past events and how they’ve shaped us, but also being able to review and learn from life. “Looking back now, I wish I slowed down, savoured every second before the silence got too loud.” Lyrics like this are so poetic and remind us to take a beat, and to pause, appreciate the silence and our surroundings before we become consumed by our hectic schedules. There’s something to be said for the use of oxymorons, they somehow add a whole new level to the description and the context. We can often become overwhelmed in the moment about facing our future without appreciating the journey we’ve taken to get where we are; no doubt filled with ups and downs, these events have brought us to our now, and have formed who we’ve become.

The mood of nostalgia and reflective thoughts play out in the track ‘Almost’. Poppy describes the story behind the song as being about all the ‘Almost’ chances, that nearly finding the one, nearly landing that dream job, or even ‘Almost’ getting a No.1 Country Album! (Great news this was achieved!!!).

“Stuck on the train and you step in my mind, stopped at the station, you kiss me good night. No way of knowing that that was goodbye.”

This opening verse details how a moment in time we can be transported back to beautiful memories; memories that we don’t realise will become significant until we can no longer experience them again, whether that because the surroundings change, or because we lose a loved one who we shared it with.

“You were my almost, so close and default, so tell me how can such a near miss, bullet hit me over and over again.”

This lyric is quite profound, and paints such a vivid picture of the relationship. It’s interesting comparing it to a bullet with the fact it can cause harm by penetrating you, but also in so much as it’s shifting the responsibility onto the other entity, suggesting that they loaded the metaphorical gun to inflict pain and recurring harm. It is these moments that whilst are outside of our control, we can control to some extent whether we allow ourselves the recurring heartbreak that will follow.

‘Walk the Line’

“Take my hand, walk the line and dance with me”

This is an interesting lyric; a directional one but one that could metaphorically relate to spirituality and with God, or to that rock of a friend or loved one. It’s poetic to consider that life is a dance. Much like learning choreography, we learn social norms and etiquette; skills that should carry us through the performance known as our lives.

The song personally feels like it’s talking about trusting in someone, be that externally, or our inner voice to fully enjoy and embrace the rollercoaster of life. With reference throughout of dancing, it’s an effective way of finding the joy in life, and shifting from any negative mindset.

‘Out of your Mind’ is a not so subtle reference of going crazy. However the end of the first verse asks us to shift our perspective, “but take a look from outside in”. There’s always two sides to every story, one persons ‘crazy’ is another persons ‘genius’.

The chorus is comprised of lots of questions, and can be considered both literal and rhetorical. It also replicates how we’re feeling as we’re all constantly questioning ourselves, whether it’s ‘am I good enough?’ Or ‘how do I look?’.

“know my opinions come off too strong

and i'd love to be proven wrong

all i ask if they are the one

slow it down and take a lesson from

when you've been here before, crying at my door”

The second verse acknowledges the polarising perspectives, and is very much focused on the feeling of being in love, and ensuring the relationship is taken at the right pace for each involved otherwise it’ll end in tears.

‘Stay’ is described in the CD insert as

“A poignant declaration to stand firm in a decision to stay with a person that keeps mentally running away from the depth of a connection, even though the chances of heartbreak are high... you decide it's worth it to love, then to never love at all.

From jumping into love, even when friends tell you you're out of your mind, and deciding to stay... only time will tell if your heart will end up in pieces... spoiler alert... it does.”

Having a song such as ‘Stay’ is very relatable whereby we’re all on our own journeys in life and sometimes we meet this quandary. We want to be with that person, love them dearly, and yet they’re not committing themselves fully to the relationship as they’re running away and hiding from their true emotions.

I love how the blurb for the song encompasses so many other song references, naturally ‘Stay’ is listed but there are subtle references made to ‘Heartbreak (handshake)’, ‘Jump’, and ‘Out Of Your Mind’.

‘Trouble’

I love how playful ‘Trouble’ is. It speaks of walking “a fine line”, we all know the one! When we say we’re done causing ‘Trouble’ and yet we’re called out by friends and loved ones.

I really like the change in dynamic from verse to lyric; the imagery is so profound of sounding an alarm for someone causing mischief, or perhaps is more of a B.S alarm. Part of the chorus almost feels like it’s meant to part of a toast “Here’s to your charm, here’s to your game, … cheers for the lessons in never agains”

‘First Dance’

‘First Dance’ really captures the life shared in the moment of a first dance. It’s light, almost like you’ve been swept off your feet and speaks of commitment much like the ceremony and life-long promise to each other.

“Say I will, and I do. ‘Coz I am and all I am , I am for you.

Trust in me, with your heart. Others only borrowed and made me blue. Everything is gold when I look at you. In a world where everything moves too fast, slow it down for our first dance.”

Drawing reference to stereotypical vows, the chorus detail many wedding references such as the vows, and ‘borrowed and blue’. The song also references a change in pace of lifestyle; slowing things down to truly appreciate the finer details in every moment.

“Crazy to think in a blink of an eye, we’ve gone from walking hand in hand to walking down the aisle. Looking back at you it’s like the very first time we’ve had the biggest day in our little lives.”

The verse captures the very essence of being truly in love and how you don’t count the days. One day we’ve just met, and then seemingly the next you’re getting hitched. The lyrics speak to nostalgia of the first time you met and how the wedding day is the pinnacle moment in “their little lives”.

‘Already Out’ raises a very valid question where by “why go home when you’re already out?” This song personally emulates a stereotypical night out at times, with its high intensity yet contrasting mellow moments.

One thing I’ve come to notice throughout the album is that there are recurring themes, possible Easter eggs to future songs. The band have a standalone song called ‘Gold’ and yet this colour choice also appears separately in ‘Already Out’, “ain't chasing sunsets lately ya grinding for gold.” The Golden reference could also relate to the earning top dollar. It’s coincidental or deliberately intentional that in the CD insert there are pictures of a penny and a pound. The pound being part gold plated, and in the song ‘Gold’ is used as an archaic reference to money. Although my favourite thought about this is that they’re manifesting getting a ‘Gold’ record, something I personally think that First Time Flyers are more than capable of achieving.

If you haven’t checked out their album and other bodies of work then I implore you to do so! Follow their social pages, and their website www.firsttimeflyers.com to keep up to date with new music, gigs and festival appearances! They also have a dedicated WhatsApp group for their ‘Cabin Crew’ members (affectionate name for their fans) where new information and teasers are also released. Keep an eye out for them this year as I’ve got a feeling it’s going to be even more special!!