Devendra Banhart, a Venezuelan romantic bard, is one of those artists that has popped into my ‘Discover Weekly’ on several occasions. He’s always been welcomed with open ears, but eventually, slips through the gaps of Spotify’s ‘heavy rotation’ algorithm. Ashamedly his records, as a whole entity, have resultantly never been given the time of day they deserve.
Ma, however, caught ma eye. Perhaps it was just the name that I semi-recognised but, I stumbled across ‘Memorial’, a track that borrows and builds on the late-great poet Leonard Cohen’s legacy and formulae. It’s beautiful, really, really beautiful – like any of the master’s work – but it certainly whetted my appetite. To draw so clearly off someone’s style can risk turning them into a caricature whilst becoming yourself a sort of lounge impersonator. But this, however, plays a game with the listener. Is this a cohen song? No surely not. Wait is it? You’re left in a state on not knowing who or where it came from, but certain that it was sheer brilliance either way.
Now delving further and looking at the wider picture, it’s not a super complex record sonically. It utilizes Latin roots compositions and language throughout. However, it does remain intriguing, breaking rhythm and melodies on several tracks, and using some interesting-but-successful synth work – an unorthodox instrument for this style of music.
Exploration is still minimal however, there’s no leaving the stratosphere, but anything more would probably have jarred. Instead, we have a lovely charming and warming quality, unspoilt and pure whilst still a full vision, aware of when to and not to use instruments. Overall, it comes across as deliberate and considered, but not cold and lifeless record if that makes sense? It’s the sort of a reflection of an artist with experience in wider endeavours, in this case, the visual arts. He plays with more than simply rhythm and melody, all for a purpose – a bit like a good indie film soundtrack.
Haiku Review
“Oh we meet again –
Haven’t seen you in a while –
About lunch some time?
You can listen to Devendra Banhart on Spotify and Apple Music.
