This is the third album from USA duo The Devics, and after you’ve heard this one you’ll want to check them all out. Wistful, understated, gentle and distinctive is the way I would describe this record, and it’s therefore right up my street…

Gently rolling piano notes introduce Lie To Me followed by one of the most delicate voices you will ever hear. Dustin O’Halloran’s piano playing is sumptuous while Sarah Lov’s voice hints at Beth Gibbons in her most pensive musical moments. The song is haunting, mystical and as beautiful as can be. A Secret Message To You moves at the pace of a hovering bird of prey and is equally as mesmerising. Lov’s voice sounds as though it’s performing through a megaphone, while O’Halloran provides a compelling mix of keyboards that seem to hang in the air, before gently gliding off. It’s a superb piece of music. Salty Seas is minimalist music with as much impact as a ballistic missile. The vocal is virtually at talking pace while the piano notes add their own understated magic. The melody and vibe are magical, and one is forced to listen to every contemplative, sincere note. Song For A Sleeping Girl introduces O’Halloran as a lead vocalist backed by the most sensitive Lov voice just audible in the background. Distant Radio goes more upbeat with a more aggressive Lov vocal and several more instruments (all played by O’Halloran) endowing the song with a quite epic feel. Then after the middle-eight the song pulls back to a much slower pace, bereft of voice, to conclude another superb musical event. Just One Breath opens the emotional flood gates with another epic and distinctive minor masterpiece that will haunt you for many months.

PUSH THE HEART is one special album that will figure strongly in our end of year best-of album selection. It’s an album that gets better each time it’s played, with every song hitting the emotional and musical bulls-eye. One word - Brilliant!

4.5/5