Mel Denisse

aiming alone - Mel Denisse: Song & Music Video Review

Vevna Forrow

Nashville-based alt-rock and ethereal pop artist Mel Denisse’s song “aiming alone” emphasizes the crushing weight of being alone, dealing with an intense rushing desire to be known, and the pressure that comes with thinking about how you’re perceived by others in society. It can be rather overwhelming and difficult, creating pain. However, there are multiple ways to look at it, one being that being alone, going forward solo, is not easy and can feel like you’re boxed in at times, but it's possible and freeing to be in your own space. One could also say that they are away from everyone and everything, among others in this world, surrounded by nothing but a floor, walls, and a sea of glass, combined with the feeling of being encompassed by a red tape laser field, essentially like you’re under surveillance, wanting to escape others’ eyes, where you are at times. The song to me is both wistful and motivational. You must press on with a goal in mind, despite no one knowing the real you. Human beings can interpret songs differently from what the artists intended, of course.

Across our lives, there are multiple turning points in time where we are alone or choose to be alone, so it’s not a foreign feeling. We see in the music video that Mel has visible angel wings, which most could associate with a “fallen angel,” with sorrow or wanting to fly away from a current situation, though still staying put. Also, when you think of the word “aiming,” you think about having a personal mission or dream again, something you’re working towards, and it may be on your own or a lonely journey—not everyone has a massive network of people who grasp who they are or what they stand for or value the most as an artist.

Additionally, artists or human beings in general are sometimes judged solely through what others come into contact with over a phone glass screen—their social media feed and events; few or perhaps no one may know who they truly are beyond the surface of their digital footprints, posts, etc.

My favorite parts of the music video include the subtle red laser lines around Mel and the staircase run. Of course, if a song has “alone” in the title, it makes sense for the artist to be typically the only one within it, but I would have loved to have seen some of the events leading up to Mel being alone, or a scene in the video where we see her among a crowd or walking away from others who do not know her or perceive her incorrectly. I think when people do not “get us” or where we are coming from, it is unbelievably hard and can, in turn, be isolating—the song mentions “you see a way I don't” and “holding on blindly.”

The song is packed with true waves of heartfelt emotion. I will also say that “aiming alone” reminded me of The Haunting of Hill House series, which crossed my mind a few times. I also visualized a woman at a dartboard by herself, ballet performers, and female archer characters akin to Merida, Katniss Everdeen, Abigail Whistler, etc., while listening to the song, but that might have been simply because I had encountered a few flicks in recent months with such scenes. Whenever I listen to a song, I tend to picture other events beyond the music video itself.

Again, I don’t like comparing artists to others, but if you love the artist Ghostly Kisses, then you should check out Mel’s songs too; her vocal work overall is absolutely beautiful and otherworldly. I recall the first song I came into contact with Mel’s was from 2025, titled “like a fiend,” but my fave song of hers thus far would have to be “Just the Same.” I am not sure if there was, in the past, a full music video for “Just the Same,” or if I missed it, but the reel snippet of it is awesome, and I would recommend giving that a listen as well and “going nowhere.”

As some have said, I too wish that both the song and the music video were a bit longer, but that’s the beauty of being able to play songs you love over and over with the repeat button. I would also say that I wanted to hear a few more dips and dives in the song itself, but it's definitely another song that I love as is, especially the portions after 1 minute 48 seconds in, I had that looped in my head for quite some time.

Memorable Lyrics:

"And maybe it's just crazy

I think I'm only aiming alone

alone"

RATING: 4.6 OUT OF 5

Remember to add “aiming alone” to your playlist(s) and take a look at Mel Denisse's music out on these channels or your preferred streaming platform, find her @meldenisse on Instagram and elsewhere.