Following several digital releases, EPs, and a full-length cassette (2013's
Perfect Strangers), Luz is West Coast beatmaker
Devonwho's first LP for
Matthewdavid's Leaving Records. The label has already released material by
Mndsgn and
Knxwledge, both of whom co-founded the Klipmode collective with
Devonwho back in 2009 (along with Suzi Analogue, who remains unfairly slept on).
Devonwho's work hasn't drastically changed since then; he's still making trippy electro-funk inspired by the '90s G-funk sound, but with enough off-time beats or smudgy lo-fi textures to fit perfectly within the Brainfeeder/Stones Throw abstract beat scene. However, Luz is unquestionably his most fully realized work to date. Most of the songs are instrumentals, but they still feel like properly composed songs rather than just fragmentary beat patterns or experiments like so many releases from within his scene. The album starts out on an upbeat note, with songs like opener "Orangehues" sounding like
Dâm-Funk but more wonky. "Cruisecontrol" features co-producer
Zackey Force Funk and guest vocalist
I Ced, whose lyrics about ecstatically driving around the city are a perfect match for the song's low-riding rhythm. The following "Alphaloop" segues perfectly into the dazzling "Purple," which begins with spiraling synth patterns before dipping into a half-time tempo midway through the track. After this cut, the album mostly sticks to slower tempos and wavy synth textures. Instead of feeling lazy or sluggish, however, the tracks are alert and detailed, and always funky. Even when the songs slow down to a crawl, as on "Lyon" (previously released as the title track to a cassette EP earlier in 2016), sophisticated riffs or finely tuned beats always catch the listener's attention. The only other vocal tune is "Goodgreat," which features Pink Siifu ensuring that everything's going to be fine. That generally seems to be the message of Luz, and it's much appreciated. ~ Paul Simpson