You can’t rush greatness. It reportedly took L.A. singer-songwriter Devon Williams six years to finish this third album. And it shows. His jangly indie-rock and psychedelic power-pop songs are meticulously arranged and produced, with clever sonic touches popping up throughout the 12-song set — from the rumbling thunder that darkens the title cut to little sonic flourishes on individual lyrics. Despite the obvious amount of time and effort he’s obviously put into the tracks, nothing here feels overworked or smothered; the songs retain their spark and vitality, often sounding like a janglier, poppier War on Drugs. Bottom line: A Tear in the Fabric is time well spent. His and yours.
THE PRESS RELEASE: “Over three albums under his own name, Devon Williams has honed a trademark blend of shining power pop, folk rock, and jangle pop that explores the shared spaces and nuances of each, anchored by his distinctive melodic gifts. After an uncharacteristic six-year break, he returns with A Tear In The Fabric: 12 lushly arranged, deeply felt songs chronicling a journey from confusion to clarity, driven by a lilting dreaminess, rock-solid songcraft, and unerring hooks. The long six years between 2014′s Gilding the Lily and A Tear In The Fabric were defined by a series of changes: most notably, the birth of Williams’ daughter four years ago and the illness and eventual death of his father in 2019. Williams found himself engaged in an endless dialogue with his thoughts and, in turn, incessantly tweaking and prodding the material. Even mixing became a place to labor over details, turning into a two-year process. The finished songs are a series of evocative snapshots for Williams: questions asked, answers given, compromises reached, captured with startling lucidity. Rarely have songs so personal sounded so luxurious. In a catalog full of pop gems, A Tear In The Fabric stands out for its completeness — individual worlds of sound and sentiment, timeless and transcending their origins. Its creation may have been laborious, but the final product feels as natural as breathing.”
