Danny Kiranos continues to shape and refine his unique brand of 'murderfolk' music in more spectacular fashion than ever.
There are few in the folk scene who compare to what Amigo the Devil is doing with his (self-dubbed) 'murderfolk' style of music. His work is often macabre, melancholy, and grimly humorous; and 'Yours Until the War is Over' fits all those descriptions. This time, though, things seem to have taken a more personal and melancholic tilt. That's not to say that the Florida native's signature style has changed up all that much. 'YUTWIO' is just as bombastic, theatrical, and...well...murdery as ever. But the continued lean into deeply personal and grounded themes make this LP the most compelling in the artist's young career.
One of the most fascinating things about 'YUTWIO' is that exact dichotomy. One moment you'll be caught up in a raw emotional whirlwind, and the next he is singing about getting smashed at Applebee's. It shouldn't work, but the charm and talent on display makes it pretty hard to resist. The highly moody and dramatic overtones throughout are timeless, sounding equal parts 'campfire outlaw' and 'modern melancholy'.
The production matches the raw flow of the songwriting at play, with a gruff and direct mix that plays off Danny Kiranos' vocals seamlessly. It doesn't sound unprofessional by any means, and the rawness of the production is exactly what the tone should be in a record like this.
'YUTWIO' is a marvelous peak into the mind of one of the most intriguing songwriters in the genre, and builds and refines on the previous three records released under the Amigo name. It's rugged enough to pass for country music, yet still has a softness that folk is revered for. If you have the stomach for an emotionally draining and hard hitting LP, look no further.
Standout tracks: I recommend a full listen.
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