Devin Nash – Sounds Like Pain (EP Review)

The blazing synths that echo into the horizon, matched with an ever-so-harsh drum pad. Does that combination of instruments sound familiar to you? I hope it does, and that the first guess you come up with is related to the aesthetic of popular music of the 80s. There were many subgenres that fell under that productional trope back then, and it has grown to amass a legacy, predictable or not.

From The Weeknd to Sabrina Carpenter, falling within the umbrella of 80s music mixed with the sensibilities of R&B seems to be a safe choice for most intending to churn out the next biggest hit and debut. Today’s artist, Devin Nash, falls right into this category, putting his own spin on it. Will all that glitters truly make him stand out in an oversaturated market? Let’s find out.

Devin Nash, a Baltimore native, is a singer, songwriter and a musician. His niche is particularly the intersection of the genres previously named, hoping to stand out with his raw talent and musical artistry. He intends to transport his listeners into a soul-searching emotional rollercoaster of love through his music. He has spent time amassing an audience, and with his newest EP ‘Sounds Like Pain‘, I’m sure he expects to expand further.

This 4-song EP is filled with tracks such as the title track, Scars, Remember, and Cry No More.

The title track almost starts off like a house track, before going into a song sequence that mimics a funkier 70s take merged with 80s synths. Devin’s vocals are very ‘safe’-sounding in this track. I think it fits the functional structure of what a person aware of this genre might expect from a song, but I can’t help but think about how generic this song somewhat sounds. There are ad-libs, and it closes with the same feel as the intro, but the song doesn’t stick out. I’m sure it would resonate with people who want a simple, straightforward groove.

The rest of the EP follows suit with the same formulaic structure, some delving into slight mastering issues with the vocals- even if the vocoder effect comes out as intentional. It unintentionally makes the mix murky. The second track has a bit more variation within experimentation of the synths, giving you more leeway to explore. It’s a little downtempo compared to the first track, but I like that Devin’s vocals aren’t ‘safe’ in this track. It definitely shows his vocal range and ability to connect with audiences better.

The third track is one of the most ‘commercially’ safe tracks on the EP, with its percussive syncopation and predictable chord structure. I know for a fact this song would do well on the charts, due to its structure and how it merges somewhat melancholic sounds with an upbeat feel to it, but it’s not resonating well with me personally. It does consist a bit of genre-blending, as I hear slight indie influences with the instrumentation. The last track honestly also fits this criteria, sounding like a mixture of the first and the last track.

All in all, I have to say that I do see a space for him commercially. His sound is definitely a sign of an individual with enough cultural awareness and technical proficiency to not be conflicting or bad to the ears, but to me personally, it doesn’t stick out. If someone like the Weeknd can fulfil this niche with a bit more edge, I think a bit of originality is needed to truly stand out. You don’t need to stray away from your genre too much, just think of a defining factor that can’t be replicated easily. Honestly, I think the artist’s previous singles like ‘Swayze’ and ‘Mocha’ performed much better in terms of merging the 80s influence, interesting chord structure, R&B vocal tone and having an aspect that truly stood out.

Otherwise, I think ‘Sounds Like Pain’ has the capacity to resonate with a large audience. It contains easy-to-follow songs with a distinct groove, combining the need to groove along with singing too. He could be on your next Spotify rotation!

Rating/Good  – ‘Sounds Like Pain’ is a fairly melodious EP that delivers Top 40-esque hits that combine the sensibilities of R&B with an 80s flair to it. It also merges some percussive elements from 70s music with safe, harmonious vocals that definitely come out with a flair at some points. It’s a safe body of work that will resonate with most people.

[We rank singles, EPs, and albums on a scale of Poor, Mediocre, Good, Excellent, and Outstanding]

Check out Devin Nash’s Official Website