Much can be said for the 29-year-old Los Angeles based singer-songwriter Devon Williams. Looking back on his nearly 17-year-old career, his music has seen evolution and reinvention several times, going from brat punk (Osker), to “freak” folk (Fingers-Cut, Megamachine), to his layered 80’s sound he’s trying out on his latest offering Euphoria on Slumberland Records.
The album opens with super catchy “Revelations”, complete with “Bum, Bum, Bum” opening. While he drops the title of the record Euphoria in the lyrics in this track, he does on several other titles, in classic Devon style of re-using lyrics several times on an album. Right away you notice this is a more focused Devon, with lush layered echoed guitars, and tons of synth work (gives it a total 80’s vibe), like the rest of the record really makes the songs have tons of atmosphere. Giving some of the songs a nearly movie score tone. The second track “Your Sympathy” is the closest to he gets in sounding like his 2008 solo debut “Carefree” with the violin section, but the common theme on the record is soaring catchy choruses.
The rest of the album has it moments that, in as a whole, make the album catchy. Devon is also up to his old tricks with some classic one liners, like in the track “Favor Tree”, “29, I have a favor and I might need another”, like on the closing track of Carefree (“A Day In The Night”) where he mentions that “First I said musician now I just say artist, 14 years must stand for something.” Another blast from the past appears when a revamped version of “Sufferer” appears on the album, sounding more atmospheric and lush than the 7” version from a year ago. Sad that the b-side on that 7” “Who Cares About Forever” didn’t make it to Euphoria but the closer on the album another revamped song “Right Direction” ends the album on a high note.
“Right Direction” is a highlight of Euphoria because it really links all of his music together in a song. Having a faster pace it has some remnants of an Osker song, and the acoustic tinge of Fingers-Cut Megamachine, and fuzzy vocals of Carefree. However, of his new songs for the album, “Slight Pain”, is has down the highlight track. The song combines tons of orchestra elements, soaring chorus, and tune that sounds like it could be in a Disney movie. Not to mention the mini piano solo at the end really does add a nice touch to the track that easily could be a single.
Now, I don’t see the album being the biggest thing in indie rock, but he did make his sound somewhat more assessable, not to mention super catchy songs. Obviously he wants to expand his fan base and why not? The 2001 Osker album “Idle Will Kill” is bigger than ever now, gaining cult status in punk circles. As much as Devon shuns the music he made his in past (more so his teen years), he’s obviously aware of his popularity and hopefully he will start getting the recognition he deserves.