Dan Mclachlan has a voice far beyond his years; a maturity and sense of lyricism that comes with a heralded folk artist. But then again, many folk artists who we revere today as legends wrote some of their most timeless pieces early into their carer. Accompanied by his friend Nick Jonah Davis on most of the album, the Kent based singer-songwriter has a penchant and talent for imbuing his songs with a haunting, almost ethereal quality as you play through them. Dedicated to his close friend Colm Byrne who passed away earlier this year, ”Twas the Devil Himself’ is a deeply emotive folk piece that is surprisingly overwhelming in the grandiosity and scale of its soundscapes. It’s lovingly composed, and by his own description — perfect to be enjoyed with cold beers under the summer sun.
‘Twas the Devil Himself is a deeply relaxing project, one that’s bound to calm all your nerves after a hard and strenuous day. Starting with ‘How to Waste My Time’, Mclachlan’s reassuring and warm voice makes you feel like things are all going to be okay. On ‘Waking Up’, the guitar work is more pained, aching, and extended in each note. Here, Mclachlan’s more haunting side takes front stage. The vocal performance has some kind of echo and haziness to it that gives it a certain ominous vibe. Not a ‘scary’ one, but one that you’d imagine comes in a fantasy film.
Each song has Mclachlan trying something a little bit different, bringing a new element to the album’s collection. ‘Haste Makes Waste’ for instance has his vocals sound entirely unlike the rest of the album till then. It builds more and more as it progresses, even reaching an incredibly overwhelmingly cathartic crescendo towards the end. ‘Eight Billion People’ has an ominous riff that creeps up behind you as Mclachlan sings with a slight tremble in his voice. But not soon after, on ‘I Ain’t a Mover’, he’s back with a more folksy sing-along tune that’s almost cheery.
McLachlan is a true folk protege, he’s got the entire package in this album. Switching up with a ton of variations between tracks, and all the while staying true to a core ethos of storytelling and melody, he is a name well worth adding to your lists. Go check out ‘Twas the Devil Himself now!
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