"why can't we love anymore / something about getting old / why can't we act as before / something about getting old..."
The moss laden pools of melancholia floating within "Something About Getting Old" by Devarrow (the musical monkier of Halifax, Nova Scotia based singer-songwriter, musician Graham Ereaux) feels as instantly magnetic as it does soberly somber. When, against plaintive acoustic guitar, he sings, "why can't we love anymore / something about getting old / why can't we act as before / something about getting old" there are hints of Neil Young, of the 1972 "Harvest" album. Maybe it is Devarrow's falsetto or maybe it is how, like Young, he couches the emotionalism inherent in the song to the history of one's life, maybe to the loss of youth and the healing of acceptance and the longing to feel whole.
While Devarrow's vocals and poetry and exquisitely compelling, I absolutely adore the musical breaks that swell with wistful majesty. The spatial sensibility of the mix feels perfect and amps up the storytelling, there is a panoramic scope that fits the passages of time that is at the core here. Love the bottomless bass sound, the shuffling drums that carry the wright and the layers built brick by brick, to offer a quiet / loud aesthetic, you feel heartbeats, you feel the exasperation of hard times and even drinks with friends that hold you up.
Of the track, Devarrow said “In fact, it was one of the first songs I recorded for "A Long & Distant Wave", and helped form the backbone of the record’s vibe and lyrical content. This song was also one of the first times I experimented with ad libbing lyrics, and in fact, the lyrics of the outro were all done in one take, with no ready-made writing or prompts.”
-Robb Donker Curtius
https://www.instagram.com/devarrow/
https://devarrow.bandcamp.com/album/a-long-distant-wave
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1BS70vPwk2ChL8DPukkRMJx1J6umi8B5
https://twitter.com/devarrowtheband
http://www.devarrow.com/
https://www.facebook.com/devarrow
Devarrow, the creative persona of Canadian folk artist Graham Ereaux, resides in rural coastal Canada as a songwriter and music producer. Despite a five-year hiatus since his last release, Devarrow has been consistently immersed in songwriting. A Long & Distant Wave, born during the Covid-19 pandemic, is a captivating exploration of memory and time, steering clear of pandemic-centric narratives, and marks the beginning of a string of upcoming releases.
The album's title, A Long & Distant Wave, encapsulates the concept that time and memories arrive like waves. Devarrow pauses the metaphorical ocean, inviting listeners to reflect on the space between experiences while envisioning upcoming waves destined for the shore and cherishing memories of those that have crashed upon the rocks.
Devarrow, singer songwriter / musician Graham Ereaux, rural coastal Canada, "Something About Getting Old", new album "A Long & Distant Wave", diy approach, pop sensibility, folk indie, indie rock,
CHECK OUT THESE LINER NOTES:
[Following on from the double single release of ‘Kickin’ and ‘In Time', Canadian singer-songwriter Devarrow is back with the surprise drop of his album ‘A Long & Distant Wave’ on April 26th.
During a 5 year hiatus, Devarrow dedicated himself to refining his musical prowess and crafting the songs for his imminent release. Reflecting the rhythmic cadence of the ocean's ebb and flow, 'A Long & Distant Wave' intricately encapsulates the fleeting nature of time and the enduring power of memory. Departing from his well-known four-on-the-floor folk-pop style, Devarrow boldly explores the realms of lo-fi soundscapes, embracing the raw charm of a tape hiss and the intimate ambiance of a home studio setting.
Despite the DIY approach, the album maintains a pop sensibility with catchy hooks and strong melodies that linger in the mind long after listening. Inspired by a diverse array of musicians ranging from contemporaries like Chris Cohen, Fleet Foxes, and Whitney to iconic figures such as Neil Young and Townes Van Zandt, Devarrow masterfully weaves together a sonic tapestry that seamlessly blends familiarity with innovation. The end result is a mesmerising auditory journey that defies conventional folk boundaries, inviting reflection on life's intervals, anticipation of new waves, and cherishing past memories.
While serving as a standalone piece, the album is a crucial precursor to upcoming releases scheduled for the latter half of 2024. ‘A Long & Distant Wave’ not only tells its own story but challenges conventional narratives around art creation. Devarrow's message is clear: he aims to dismantle the notion that art must emerge from a tortured and introspective place dictated by emotions. Instead, he advocates for making art quickly and for the sheer joy of it, without compromising artistic integrity. This perspective is Devarrow's stance on art creation, challenging the notion he feels he adhered to for too long. The future promises an abundance of releases from Devarrow.]
[Following on from the double single release of ‘Kickin’ and ‘In Time', Canadian singer-songwriter Devarrow is back with the surprise drop of his album ‘A Long & Distant Wave’ on April 26th.
During a 5 year hiatus, Devarrow dedicated himself to refining his musical prowess and crafting the songs for his imminent release. Reflecting the rhythmic cadence of the ocean's ebb and flow, 'A Long & Distant Wave' intricately encapsulates the fleeting nature of time and the enduring power of memory. Departing from his well-known four-on-the-floor folk-pop style, Devarrow boldly explores the realms of lo-fi soundscapes, embracing the raw charm of a tape hiss and the intimate ambiance of a home studio setting.
Despite the DIY approach, the album maintains a pop sensibility with catchy hooks and strong melodies that linger in the mind long after listening. Inspired by a diverse array of musicians ranging from contemporaries like Chris Cohen, Fleet Foxes, and Whitney to iconic figures such as Neil Young and Townes Van Zandt, Devarrow masterfully weaves together a sonic tapestry that seamlessly blends familiarity with innovation. The end result is a mesmerising auditory journey that defies conventional folk boundaries, inviting reflection on life's intervals, anticipation of new waves, and cherishing past memories.
While serving as a standalone piece, the album is a crucial precursor to upcoming releases scheduled for the latter half of 2024. ‘A Long & Distant Wave’ not only tells its own story but challenges conventional narratives around art creation. Devarrow's message is clear: he aims to dismantle the notion that art must emerge from a tortured and introspective place dictated by emotions. Instead, he advocates for making art quickly and for the sheer joy of it, without compromising artistic integrity. This perspective is Devarrow's stance on art creation, challenging the notion he feels he adhered to for too long. The future promises an abundance of releases from Devarrow.]
-Robb Donker Curtius
THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM
https://www.instagram.com/devarrow/
https://devarrow.bandcamp.com/album/a-long-distant-wave
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1BS70vPwk2ChL8DPukkRMJx1J6umi8B5
https://twitter.com/devarrowtheband
http://www.devarrow.com/
https://www.facebook.com/devarrow
Devarrow, the creative persona of Canadian folk artist Graham Ereaux, resides in rural coastal Canada as a songwriter and music producer. Despite a five-year hiatus since his last release, Devarrow has been consistently immersed in songwriting. A Long & Distant Wave, born during the Covid-19 pandemic, is a captivating exploration of memory and time, steering clear of pandemic-centric narratives, and marks the beginning of a string of upcoming releases.
The album's title, A Long & Distant Wave, encapsulates the concept that time and memories arrive like waves. Devarrow pauses the metaphorical ocean, inviting listeners to reflect on the space between experiences while envisioning upcoming waves destined for the shore and cherishing memories of those that have crashed upon the rocks.
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