‘Welcome to My Blue Sky’ is the Perfect Invitation to Momma

The emotional rollercoaster of hopeless romance dominates Momma’s “Welcome to My Blue Sky.” 

Released April 4, “Welcome to My Blue Sky” is indie rock quartet Momma’s fourth studio album and its most consistent at building a spanning narrative.

Formed in 2015 by childhood friends Etta Friedman and Allegra Weingarten, Momma has established themselves as masters of alternative rock. With “Welcome to My Blue Sky,” Momma draws on its members’ prior musical experience to explore further pop-inspired sounds.

“Sincerely” quietly opens the record. The two-minute track steadily builds the album’s theme of fluctuating romance before reaching an equally faint conclusion. 

Released Jan. 29, “I Want You (Fever)” immediately flaunts the boisterous sound Momma has spent three albums perfecting. A relentless chorus of desperate pleas and shredded guitar solos drive home its trope of hopeless pining.

The ensuing “Rodeo,” released March 31, carries its predecessor’s sound across a more subdued rhythm. Retaining the same contagious energy, the song tempers its sound with calmer guitar melodies.

“Stay All Summer” blends the relaxed tempo of “Rodeo” with the clamorous chorus of “I Want You (Fever),” creating a slow-burning intensity during its three-minute runtime.

The following “New Friend” trades the electric instrumentals for an acoustic harmony, rooted in the internal struggle of dwelling on past relationships. Momma usually shines with lively, dynamic tracks, which makes the beat of “New Friend” a sonic slump.

“I know I’m not supposed to ask / But did you forget? / Or am I stuck in your head? / I really liked the time we had,” Friedman and Weingraten sing.

Building off the subtle melody of “New Friend,” “How to Breathe” gradually reintroduces the band’s trademark sound, as the quiet verses collapse under a lush, heavy rock chorus.

The track defines itself with poetic lyricism, a departure from Momma’s usual focus on catchy hooks with more straightforward meanings.

“Last Kiss” is an alt-rock anthem that sustains its punchy rhythm throughout, embodying the atmospheric intensity of Deftones’ “Saturday Night Wrist,” released in 2006.

“Bottle Blonde” is a bold departure from “Last Kiss.” The mellowed pop chorus contrasts with the amped-up guitars flooding the verses, allowing Friedman and Weingarten to flex softer vocal melodies previously unheard in their hard-edged discography.

The nostalgia-fueled “Ohio All The Time” continues the lively pop-rock energy of “Bottle Blonde,” weaving grungy guitars and reflective lyrics into an infectious hook about chasing love at the cost of personal clarity.

Using a similar arrangement, the titular “Welcome to My Blue Sky” delivers a disheartening realization — no matter how desired, the past can never be reclaimed. The lyrics immerse listeners in an idealistic world that begins to crack as reality slowly bleeds in.

“I stopped to talk like we always do / But something’s off, swear it’s me, not you / It’s not your fault cause I always knew / This blue sky won’t bring me back to you,” Friedman and Weingraten sing.

Unfortunately, “Take Me With You” dampens the message.

With hopeless romance dominating the lyrics once again, “Take Me With You” feels displaced following the thematic conclusion of the titular track.

“My Old Street” continues where “Welcome to My Blue Sky” leaves off. Taking a broader perspective of nostalgia, the lyrics showcase the beauty of time and how reminiscing isn’t always a bad thing — offering comfort and clarity in the present.

Although “My Old Street” doesn’t ruin the message of moving on, “Welcome to My Blue Sky” still feels like a better conclusion that loses its touch with each follow-up.

Momma’s fourth album stays true to its roots while introducing fresh sounds to complement its theme of learning from the past rather than remaining stuck in it.

“Welcome to My Blue Sky” is available on all major streaming platforms.