Rosegold
Thirty Tigers, 2021
8/10
The Nashville star Ashley Monroe took a different approach to this 5th solo album, where she sets aside any of the sadness of her previous work for a joyous body of sounds that shares the light and love in her life since the birth of her son.
“Siren” opens the listen with a shimmering pop spirit as Monroe’s country roots are still present in the stylish setting, and “Silk” follows with a dreamy quality, where warm keys and strategic percussion add much to the expressive and atmospheric landscape.
Closer to the middle, “Drive” is both cautious and playful as Monroe’s intimate singing aligns well with the smooth climate, while “Flying” lands in ballad territory where gorgeous piano accompanies Monroe’s poetic delivery. “Groove”, a late album highlight, then benefits from pulsating strings in a very playful, orchestral influenced mood that’s highly romantic.
Further still, “I Mean It” offers a lush and soaring display of textured dynamics, and “The New Me” exits the listen heartfelt amid some mysterious ambience as hazy keys and ‘60s pop nods enter a very atypical finish.
Together with the help of Nathan Chapman and Jake Mitchell, among others, on the production side and Ben West, Chris Powell and Niko Moon, to name a few, on instrumentation, Monroe drifts further from her country template on this daring and sonically challenging adventure that takes the listener on an unpredictable journey.
Travels well with: Gretchen Peters- Dancing With The Beast; Patty Griffin- American Kid