Dehd
Poetry
Fat Possum Records [2024]
Album Overview: Dehd, consisting of Jason Balla, Emily Kempf, and Eric McGrady, have built their career on adventurous spirit, from their early days in Chicago to their recent recording sessions in New Mexico and the Puget Sound. They’ve evolved from their earlier works to create their fifth album, Poetry, embracing vulnerability and introspection. Poetry represents a significant milestone in the band’s career as the album’s sound is a culmination of Dehd’s musical evolution, blending indie rock with dream pop elements and lo-fi aesthetics. Each track on Poetry paints vivid imagery of summer romance, fleeting moments, and the complexities of human connection. This record is the longest in their catalog and I think this album has a better flow with its 14 tracks compared to 2022’s Blue Skies. The band sounds more comfortable in their artistic vision and creative spirit and even though it doesn’t reach the Headphone Approved status of Flower of Devotion (2020) it is a solid release that fans for sure will want to hear.
Musical Style: Dehd’s musical style on Poetry blends indie rock with elements of dream pop and lo-fi aesthetics. The sound is characterized by shimmering guitars, pulsating rhythms, and emotive vocals that range from intimate whispers to anthemic choruses.
Evolution of Sound: Over the years, Dehd has refined their sound, moving from lo-fi bedroom recordings to more polished production while retaining their raw authenticity. Poetry showcases a more mature and introspective sound, with lush arrangements and a heightened emotional depth. It also finds the band at their most comfortable in their delivery giving Poetry a different type of impact.
Artists with Similar Fire: Dehd still have enough edge to their music to compare to Jesus and Mary Chain while the foot tapping tempos and vocal style compare to Kurt Vile. With the alternating male/female vocals on tracks you can also hear similarities to Snail Mail and Alvvays.
Pivotal Tracks: Key tracks on Poetry include “Dog Days,” which is a celebration for the messiness of life and the search for companionship. It is the perfect opener with its upbeat attitude and catchy chorus. “Alien” is about getting lost in something bigger than yourself as the song is a slower burn with great layered melodies. “Pure Gold” is easy to connect with as its focus is being swallowed up by the excitement of somebody new in your life. The song has both vocalists playing off each other so comfortably and highlights Dehd’s strength as a band.
Lyrical Strength: Dehd’s lyrics on Poetry are characterized by their honesty and vulnerability, exploring themes of love, self-doubt, and liberation. Tracks like “Knife” confront patriarchal structures, while “Forget” closes the album and serves as a poignant breakup anthem transformed into a mantra of acceptance and growth.
DEHD REVIEW HISTORY
Blue Skies (2022) / Flower Of Devotion (2020)
DEHD LINKS
Website | Instagram | Bandcamp | Fat Possum Records
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