Dunedin contemporary vocalist Molly Devine has been entertaining Dunedin crowds for a few years now, sharing stages with Martin Phillipps, Anna Leese, the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra, and more in the Tally Ho series of concerts, as well as playing her own shows at many local bars.
She’s just released a four song EP, Rain In The River, which signals a slight shift in musical direction for her.
From the opening track The Sculptor Devine’s sound is more dance orientated, with more groove, and sounding less ethereal than her earlier work. Arpeggio keys and a Roland Tr 808 hand clap are a nice nod to the 80's and drive the tune through intro, and first verse, into the first chorus at the 1 minute mark. It’s pop music at its best.
Rain follows, and like with other songs on this EP, Devine’s voice sits on top of the mix really well. Clearly there’s lots of processing, but there’s a deft hand on the controls and nothing is laid on too heavily, making for a beautifully crafted sound.
Haunting synth strings open up track 3, Company, and lyrically the theme of Rain In The River continues flowing on well. It sounds very much like a collection of songs written around the same time and if my guess is correct there may have been a new relationship in her life.
Someone Like You is the last of the four songs on the EP and it’s the most overt, and dead-set beautiful electronic dance pop love song I’ve heard in many, many years. If this song was written about me, I’d totally like cry. It’s as beautiful melodically as it is lyrically.
The Rain In The River EP is just four songs long, which means it lends itself to being put on repeat.