The wonderful solo artist and multi-instrumentalist, Red Mourning Skies, is the moniker of Chris Aleshire, whose skills were built on a variety of bands and styles to perfect his craft. Now signed independently, Aleshire has started to develop a following on Spotify, with more than 2,206 followers and 4,667 monthly listeners. On his sophomore solo album, Aleshire brings a whole new sound that feels truly his own. Influenced by music as diverse as rock, pop, and R&B, ‘Myosotis’ finds Aleshire in an easy blend of styles into gorgeous pop songs filled with emotion and master musicianship.
It’s been over two years since the self-titled debut of Red Mourning Skies came out. In that time, Aleshire has kept busy with a stunning run of singles that show off his genre-bending skills. The landscape explored on ‘Myosotis’ is plural in the best sense, with Aleshire having no qualms about experimenting with synthesizer-driven arrangements while keeping lyrical themes deeply personal. The album doesn’t waste any time, plunging headlong into Aleshire’s expanded soundworld.
Opener “Already Knows” sets the tone, celebrating with its stuttering percussion and sparkling keys; Aleshire’s vocals drift atop, painting impressionist lyrics in sun-kissed harmonies. Songs that follow keep working with the gleaming palette of the album. On “Obvious,” arpeggiated synths wrap around a danceable pulse, matching Aleshire’s carefree vocals and expressing new thrills.
Elsewhere, it’s “Over and Outta Here,” primed for carefree teenage dances under the disco ball, while “Listen To Me” channels The Weeknd’s synth R&B flair. Throughout, Aleshire draws from a deep well of electronic and pop influences without ever sounding derivative. Standouts like “Alone Nowhere” pair arpeggiated synths with powerful beats for an irresistibly kinetic listen. On “How Do I Sleep?” the synthy melodies and crisp percussion wind together for a euphoric rush of color and motion. Another track, “Under Your Spell,” adds vibrant guitar riffs to lush synth textures, enchanting the listener with a world of Aleshire’s design. Over “Satellite,” a light-speed keyboard background keeps the album multicolored; in contrast, the sultry vocals and restrained instrumentation of “Hold Me Back” catch flirtatious melodies spilling over. Throughout, Aleshire imbues even the most personal musings with universality through the deft use of metaphor and illuminating imagery. The closing track “Let Me Fade” brings the journey full circle: twinkling piano, upbeat synths, and uplifting vocals cement how Aleshire has arrived at a style he can call his own.
Being someone who deeply appreciates exquisitely crafted pop music, ‘Myosotis’ from Red Mourning Skies was an absolute treat to stumble upon. At just a little over 45 minutes, ‘Myosotis’ never wears out its welcome. In 15 cleverly interwoven tracks, Aleshire walks the listener through an expansive range of moods and genres through his singular pop lens. Flawless production carries the listener into the very heart of Aleshire’s sonic imagination. On ‘Myosotis’, Red Mourning Skies shows himself to be a keen student of masterful storytellers in song. It’s one of the most vibrant and emotionally rich pop offerings of 2024 so far.