Devarrow – “The Great Divide”

SXSW 2020 - OEB Score: 7; Popularity Index: 3

Pairs Well With… The Low Anthem, Photo Ops, Rocky Votolato

Devarrow plays an idiosyncratic form of dreamy psychedelic-influenced alt-folk.  Singer Graham Ereaux relies on folk cadences and an emotive falsetto but what caught OEB’s ear is the interesting sonic diversity and experimentation within the familiar alt-folk song base. Most of his song have inventive solo instrumental canters while others build to the cusp of bouncy before retreating to a melancholy pace and feeling. The lyrics are also well-crafted, weighty explorations of disorientation, anxiety, individualism, and the modern age. The peppiest two songs we heard are “The Great Divide” and “Little Road” –“Vancouver” the most experimental. His videos also reflect his playful quirkiness – watch the one for “Crashed Cars.” One caveat is that much of this music is delicate and relies on the arrangements, double vocal tracking, organ, harmonica, synths, and percussion that accompany his acoustic guitar.  Hopefully, Devarrow can be heard in a quieter venue and that he brings more than just his guitar to Austin so that we can hear the full range of these creations.  (David Zlotnick)