Eleven more relaxing, folk classics from Chris Brain is no bad deal. Red Sun Rising, his third studio album, continues the light and lovely appeal of modern-day folk music. Inspired by the warmth and tranquillity that you can find across the United Kingdom, it’s nice to use pieces like this as an antidote to the nastiness at play elsewhere. Brain has issued eleven more sweet-sounding songs, those relaxed, guided acoustic tones that only the best in folk can maintain. His third album hears real growth from him not just as a songwriter but as an instrumentalist, finding the soft balance between being moved by what’s around him and moving those with those images clearly defined by his writing style. It’s a nice touch that sees Red Sun Rising elevate itself and those who listen in. Contemporary folk is enjoying a well-deserved boom in quality at the moment, and Brain is at the forefront of that. He was before the release of Red Sun Rising, but this cements him as a lead player.
Brain has proven himself before as a necessary listen for those wanting to step out of the madness for a moment. Red Sun Rising is more than just quality stock for a quiet moment; it’s an impassioned collection of songs that really bring to life the calm and stillness that he wishes to reflect on. Such is the hills and mountains he inevitably traipsed through when feeling the influence for these songs come to life. A delightful title track is followed up with soft sincerity on Big Hill. Delicate acoustic plucking and a nice vocal overlap on the latter track is what gives Brain that edge in folk music. Brain has added a few new instruments to his repertoire here, though. A little flourish of piano, an extra voice to guide him through the tender moments, it all sounds like natural progression from Steady Away. He reaches a new high on When All is Said and Done, a tremendous piece of work that, like much of the soft-spoken adaptations Brain has made, leaves the door open to reconciliation.
Fragility and peace play core parts to Red Sun Rising. The latter is the former, and Brain does well to protect the soothing, calm tone across this release. Red Sun Rising is delicate but never afraid to be bold. A few new instrumental choices from Brain showcases that complexity. Kinds of Kindness does this brilliantly, a new tool in an arsenal which is, ultimately, there to prop up the insightful lyrical choices. Take a song like Morning Relief and actively pursue its meaning. Make it a part of your day. Brain spells it out for listeners clearly enough. Make use of that early morning light and the crisp air. He exudes such a delicacy throughout Red Sun Rising, these early morning charmers never failing to lose sight of the feeling that comes when catching the first glimpse of light.
Much of what Brain writes of is the birth and rebirth of nature. Its cycle is of great reassurance to him and has portrayed itself well across his trilogy of folk albums. Crucial to all of this is a voice of gold, a tremendously warm and intimate experience is to be had with Red Sun Rising and it all comes down to the conviction of Brain as a performer. Pigeon wings, blooming flowers, it’s all the wordplay that comes from being out in nature and not stuck looking at it from out of the window as you prepare album reviews. Red Sun Rising is, as the previous two Brain albums were, a beautiful call to come into nature and feel the healing powers of being in the great outdoors. If there’s a patch of grass or park nearby, take this album with you and listen good. Brain has been leading this folk charge for years and is showing no signs of stopping. The longer he goes on, the better he gets.
