Love and Devotion by HEAVY DRUNK is a soulful alt-folk, Americana record about feeling out of touch with modern love. It’s a track that delves into its emotional core from the opening moments, immersing the listener not only in its sound but also in its narrative.
In the opening moments, the soundscape is varied but light, allowing the vocals to take centre stage. They are rough and gravelly but in a way that only emphasises the emotional vulnerability of the narrative. The depth of the voice adds texture to the track. This choice allows other aspects to explore the higher end of the song’s register while contributing to the richness of the overall sonic tapestry.
Sponsored
The opening line “Whatever happened to love and devotion” sets the tone for the song, shocking the listener in much the same way as the narrative is shocked at the evolution of modern love. The instrumental drops out in moments like this throughout the track, allowing the narrative of the lyrics to have extra emphasis. This clever use of silence is one subtle aspect that elevates Love and Devotion above its competition in the alt-folk genre.
The video follows a man in his truck singing the lyrics as he drives through the forest, dappled light hitting him as he passes under the leaves. This video captures the freedom of driving to clear your head. It feels as if the song is this protagonist's train of thought as he grapples with the past and future of his love life. That sense adds an extra sense of closeness to the lyrics as we feel as if we are experiencing the inner thoughts of someone lamenting love.
The instrumental has a deep bass that guides the melody from the opening notes. It also utilises a beautiful guitar part, adding licks and trills that emphasise important lines throughout the track. The guitar part also helps transition between sections of the song, guiding it through its evolution and acting as a constant throughline for the listener. The crispness of this guitar part contrasts the roughness of the vocals, adding further to the textural contrast throughout the track. Overall, this song is extraordinary in its sonic execution and its exploration of the narrative themes it covers.
Comments