To Feel Free
Devansh's debut solo ride, "To Feel Free," is like a cool breeze of musical vibes that effortlessly blends a bit of everything. Hailing from the hustle of New York City and now rocking in London, Devansh dives into a mix of psychedelic soul, modern funk, jazz, indie pop, and a sprinkle of world music that'll make your ears perk up.
Starting off the trip with "Just Breathe," you get hit with a Steve Lacy vibe that's like opening a window on a sunny day. It's the perfect intro, a meditative chant yet also a tension builder, setting the mood for what turns out to be a unique adventure. "What We Don't See”, with co-production credits from Jordan Rakei, hits you with some fantastic instrumentals, and Devansh's vocals tell a story about being so stuck in our work and daily grinds that we miss the beauty of life around us, making the whole flow feel genuine and relatable.
"In Your Nature" is a groovy, more swirling psychedelic number that makes you wish you could catch it live – you can practically feel the energy through the speakers, finishing with a ripping synth bass solo. With “These Wounds”, Devansh dissects a past heartbreak and the clarity that followed, with the track’s outro providing one of the standout sonic experiences on the record. The album keeps cruising on a chilled wavelength with the dream-pop-leaning “No Rain," where the combo of instrumentals and vocals feels like a match made in music heaven. There's a clear theme here – Devansh is all about laid-back grooves that blend genre, dynamics, and emotion.
"Mother's House" decides to turn down the tempo a bit, adding a sultry, slow-burning touch to the mix with a soulful, psychedelic story about unfulfilled young love. The combination of sitar, a phasey, growling bass, and delayed vocals in the climactic outro is a truly unique moment. "Embrace You”, a song about solitude during the lockdown months, keeps the indie vibes rolling despite its darker meaning, with guitars and drums doing a crispy drum-and-bass-esque dance that you can't help but bop along to. Closing the curtain with the title track, "To Feel Free," wraps up the whole experience with a final hit of that easygoing sound.
Devansh isn't just throwing sounds together – he's weaving his international upbringing and NYC jazz roots into a musical tapestry. Collaborating with London's top-notch musicians, from bassist Rudi Creswick to drummer Ellis Dupuy among many others, adds that extra flavor to an already rich sound.
"To Feel Free" isn't just an album, it’s a journey; it's like Devansh is inviting you to kick back, chill out, and get lost in the ride. Which makes sense considering the album’s title is about a desire to get out of one’s head, to lose all inhibitions and feel again - and the difficulty of doing so as a brown man in today’s world. The mix of funky grooves, soulful vocals, dreamy instrumentals, and gritty production create an atmosphere that's as easy as a Sunday morning. So, kick off your shoes, grab a cold one, and let Devansh's debut be the soundtrack to your laid-back moments. This guy's onto something, and we're all invited to the party.