With his second album release, The Art of Breaking Hearts, Celestial Skies burst onto our radar.
By Graeme Smith
The Art of Breaking Hearts tells ordinary tales through compelling, passionate vocals against a backdrop of pop and soft rock. Hooky opener Go Slow! gets the album off to a strong start thanks to its stirring, memorable chorus. It brings to mind the legendary We Don’t Have To Take Our Clothes Off by Jermaine Stewart.
Desperation Nation invites us to a party while laments those that overdo it with drink. Beating Heart is a lovelorn tale. Holly Golightly is beautifully dramatic. Silly Boy is a waltzing, folksy warning against drunk texting. Each track has a strong story to tell and there are hooks aplenty. Celestial Skies know how to write them, and how to bring them to life.
Ballad Headlights shows his gentler side, setting up a stripped-back finale in the form of Real Eyes.
Celestial Skies is the performing name of singer-songwriter Chris Selman, who has previously released music under his own name and under the pseudonym Words & Noises. Though he’s new to us, you may have heard his music on BBC Radio 6 Music or Channel 4, or read about it in The Guardian or NME.
Now we’re acquainted with Celestial Skies, no doubt we’ll be keeping an eye out for future releases. He’s one of a kind for sure.
The Art of Breaking Hearts is out now and you can give it a listen below.