Dave Devaney - “Compass”
From Ireland, singer-songwriter Dave Devaney has just released the vintage-imbued folk sounds of “Compass.”
The soft and gentle strums of an acoustic guitar open the track, underscored by a subdued pad from a flute. The thick, analogue flavor of a bass emerges, providing the arrangement with mass, securing the underbelly of “Compass.” The overall sound is rich and weighty, authentically charged with a sound devoid of digital manipulation.
The arrival of the drum kit provides “Compass” with momentum, but does not subtract from the overall introspective vibe– the reason we were drawn to it in the first place. Over the verses, Devaney’s vocal enriches the sonic landscape with an honesty that we have come to know and love with the folk genre, slightly akin to that of Gregory Alan Isakov and The Tallest Man on Earth.
The hook is full of musical magic, with a delightful vocal harmony falling into place, as well as some sweet ear candy via the plucks from a banjo. At this point, the swelling of a string arrangement fills out the production, lending the refrain with a pleasing sense of robustness that will likely result in listeners returning to “Compass“ for more.
In just over three minutes, Devaney has managed to write a tender love song that does not delve into the depths of sentimentality, which was his goal all along, adding: “I wanted write a love song without saying ‘I love you’ so the idea came to use Compass as the song’s metaphor… no matter where you go this person pulls us home.”