Montreal-based Devolver is quite remarkable. There’s a serious songwriting prowess within the band’s smooth, concise, and sparkling psychedelic pop songs. And said songs get caked in layers of worn copy Pram-style hauntological shit, like a ninth generation tape dub or a distant AM radio broadcast. While that may echo a bit of the Ariel Pink aesthetic, the two are very different. There are no meta jokes, no derangement, no totally skewed interpretations. Devolver is more The Zombies and Grandaddy with rainy day vocals, as recorded by R Stevie Moore or Robert Pollard. While the destroyed, tin can timbre sheen is engaging, the group’s range is what makes them worth noticing. Put yr. membrana tympani up on Devolver’s dynamic repertoire by way of their Soundcloud page, and enjoy everything from classic electric folk to electronic washes and whispy pop ambient to clipped-out fuzz rock sermons. They kick every dude who says “lo fi just means they don’t have talent” square in the dick. Devolver proves it’s a preference. These dudes are now on your radar – keep ‘em there.

For fans of:  Pram, Khonnor, The Clientele, Koushik, Theo Angell

MP3 :::
Devolver – Last Mistake
Devolver – Begin to See
Devolver – Shadow