Cogley – “Deep Blue Sky”

I spent some time with Deep Blue Sky by Cogley, and it’s one of those albums that slowly opens up the more you sit with it. The record has been around in some form before, but this version feels fuller and more thought out, especially with the added tracks and reworked material. You can tell a lot of time went into shaping it. There’s a mix of experimental rock, alternative ideas, and electronic touches, but it never feels scattered. It all connects in a loose, human way.

The track list reads almost like a set of reflections on where people are right now. “Mr. Spaceman” kicks things off with that pressure we all put on ourselves, and it sets the tone pretty well. Later on, “What If It Were You” hits harder than expected. It pushes you to think about empathy in a way that isn’t preachy, just honest. “Longing” and “Everything Changes” keep that mood going, with a sense that something important has slipped away.

I kept coming back to “A Million Miles Away”. The idea of looking out into space instead of looking inward lands in a quiet but sharp way. Then you get tracks like “Who’s Keeping Score” and “All The Love Inside”, which feel more grounded and personal. By the time “Pebble” closes things out, there’s a sense of coming back to basics, even if nothing is fully resolved.

The newer songs fit in naturally. “Staring at the Stars” has a calm, late-night vibe, and “Dust in My Eyes” carries a heavier emotional punch. The title track finally being included makes sense, since it ties a lot of the ideas together.

I like that this album just sits with the mess of things and tries to sort through it. I’d say this is worth your time, especially if you like music that grows on you. Go check out Cogley’s earlier releases too, and give him a follow to see where he goes next.