Tik Tok has introduced me to so many new artists - big and small. One artist in particular has really caught my eye, or rather, my ear: Devon Again, 21 years old and living in LA, has only released 3 songs so far... but I'm addicted to each and every one.
I discovered Devon while she was promoting her single 'Burn Down' before its release - every snippet an utter tease for what was to come. Something about fun beats with dire lyrics is so compelling to me, I can't get enough.
At the time of writing this, Devon Again has just released her third single, 'All My Fault', which to me, consists of coming-of-age lyricism, exploring responsibility and faith in an electrically eccentric pop synth way.
I was definitely hoping for a more pop punk/rock sound, the direction Burn Down seemed to ever-so-gently lean towards, but as I listen to it again and again (...and again), I enjoy the genre ambiguity Devon's songs project.
As is often the case with artists building their craft in this technological age, Devon Again has a heavy presence on Tik Tok - it's here that she has the most followers of all her social media accounts, boasting 350k at the time of writing (with only 10k on Instagram and 1k on YouTube). Regardless of how you feel about Tik Tok and whether artists should be made to create so much content, it's clear the power it holds when it comes to discovering new music and supporting small artists. As I mentioned previously, it's how I discovered her!
Devon posts a lot of chaotic content, with snippets of her unique personality scattered in these short video clips. It's a lovely way of feeling like you have a personal connection with the artist, an easy way to learn more about the meaning behind their work and the process of creating it... perhaps not healthy for those who have parasocial intimacy issues, but definitely a wonderful way to connect with the general audience.
Devon's content is relatable, honest and humble. Her humour and wit are reflected in her lyrics, shown in both unreleased and released tracks. A personal favourite of mine would be from 'shitty people', teased in a Tik Tok that I'll embed below;
"I realised that I've got nothing to lose but your // bad breath and your smelly f*ckin' shoes"
There's something about funny lyrics that I utterly adore - especially when it covers topics like heartache. Perhaps it's because if we don't laugh, we'll cry - and joking about shitty situations to cope is something I relate to. Mix it in with music, and it's a free therapy session. Although the stories told so far in Devon Again's discography explore topics such as self sabotage, cheating and recklessness through lyrics, the sound of the songs are upbeat and fun. This contrast is one that I'm appreciating more and more, as I get to sit with and experience my emotions without making myself feel worse. Sometimes listening to sad sounding songs with heartbreaking lyrics is a little too heavy in combination with the weight of life.
This kind of honest lyricism so wonderfully presents personality and also age - using immature humour is such a lovely way to bookmark the stage of your life through your art. Something about this generation's sarcastic response to the way of the world as a means to survive has created a sense of solidarity when we consume art like this... basically, I think Devon Again has absolute BOPS, with a fantastic online presence and mega potential. I'm so excited to watch her grow as an artist and to gobble up everything she releases from now until forever. Baby artists need all the help they can get when it comes to promoting their content, and I need Devon Again to blow up so she can tour the UK and I get to hear all my favourite songs live. Stream 'All My Fault' and follow Devon Again on everything linked in her Linktree below!!!
Linktree - https://linktr.ee/devonagain
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