Devendra Banhart – Ape in Pink Marble (Nonesuch Records, 2016)
On this album, you will travel from one song to the next, in time and genre. Devendra Banhart combines sounds from different styles and eras, but most of the songs still feature his signature psychedelic 60s guitar riffs. “Fig in Leather” has a distinct 70s vibe which is reminiscent of the 70s band Boniem. The lyrics are very imaginative and, overall, Ape in Pink Marble is a creative work of art that makes you wonder what inspired these sound mixtures and lyrics. The songs are very slow, suited for a rainy Sunday afternoon. They almost sound like lullabies, and are overall very romantic. In “Saturday Night,” Banhart used the japanese guitar, the shamisen, to add discrete traditional Asian sounds. Each song on this album has something unique — you never know what to expect from one song to the next.
Trial Track: “Fig in Leather”
6.5/10
