After three albums as the guitarist of A Perfect Circle in the early 2000s, Billy Howerdel wished to branch out and record a solo album while A Perfect Circle frontman Maynard James Keenan returned to his band Tool.[1] Howerdel released the album Keep Telling Myself Its Alright under the moniker Ashes Divide in 2008, but ceased releasing solo material shortly after the release.[1] Work on new material privately started in earnest in 2018 while touring in support of A Perfect Circle's fourth studio album Eat the Elephant.[5] When writing the song, Howerdel first started with the bass line, and pieced together other parts over it.[6] A teaser trailer for the song was released in February 2022.[5] In March 2022, Howerdel released the song, "Poison Flowers", his first new solo music in 14 years.[7]
Themes and composition
The song features Howerdel providing vocals, guitar, bass, piano, and production on the track.[7] Drums were performed by Josh Freese, who had previously worked with Howerdel in A Perfect Circle and Ashes Divide.[8]Guitar World described the song's sound as a mix between Pink Floyd and Nine Inch Nails,[9] while Consequence described it as the same style of alternative rock that fans of A Perfect Circle would appreciate.[1]Revolver described the track as having an "ethereal" and "brooding", with "gothic vocals" and "oodles of atmospheric textures".[7]
