Rob’s Album of The Week: Devon Gilfillian’s Time Will Tell

An underrated aspect of existence is the fusion of what you’ve grown up with and your present surroundings. There’s an intriguing balance that’s struck when this occurs as a person comes of age and it can also be the catalyst for stellar creativity. This is the case with soul/R&B artist Devon Gilfillian, who is originally from Philadelphia but currently based in the music hub of Nashville. This combination of musical roots and contemporary influences is present in his full-length *Time Will Tell* that came out on June 26 via Concord Records. The release is considered to be the pinnacle of Gilfillian’s creative output and as the sequencing of the songs go by, the effort pays dividends.

Both Jonathan Smalt and Neal H. Pogue assisted with the production while the recording process was done at the esteemed and illustrious RCA Studio A in Nashville. This resulted in a fantastic sounding record with each installment having something different to offer while riding a consistent groove and vibe. There are notes of country and folk being intertwined within Gilfillian’s soulful aesthetic, but it’s not kitschy or contrived. It’s relatively seamless in a way that comes off as natural, which can be difficult to pull off. With this being said, having a charisma and confidence coming across through the music genuinely assists in this endeavor.

The 4th of July is this week, and it’s happening with added significance due to it being the United States of America’s 250th anniversary. It’s no secret that we as a nation are in a precarious spot these days with massive division and alienation running rampant. Even though this is true, I think the most American thing we can do is get a bunch of people together from various backgrounds and orientations and have a great time while celebrating diversity. The latter part is especially important, and in my opinion, it’s what has always made this country great. May we all realize this one day, but for now, here are my top tracks off of the Album of The Week:

“Moonflower” gives off an orchestral vibe with string instruments complimenting the guitars and drums in harmonious fashion. Gilfillian conveys a heartfelt feeling through his lyrics while exhibiting a fantastic range. The most rock & roll leaning tune within Time Will Tell is “Black Dog Rabbit Hole.” There’s hypnotic arrangements that get morphed into a direct and amplified delivery that’s absolutely energizing. I love the groove that’s present within “Keep On Movin’” while relaying danceability and rhythms.

In support of the new album, Gilfillian is going to be doing a tour of the United States starting at Rolling Stone Stateside in Kingston, New York on July 4. There’s a ton of stops around the New England region, which include August 5 at the Prescott Park Arts Festival in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, August 7 at the Levitt Pavilion in Westport, Connecticut, August 8 at the Strawberry Jam Music Festival in Stowe, Vermont, and September 19 at The Sinclair in Cambridge, Massachusetts. All of the dates of the expedition are here, and attending at least one of the shows is highly recommended if you get the chance. In the meantime, grab a copy of Time Will Tell and give it a listen. It’s a wonderful record that walks a fine line through a few different styles while having plenty to offer the senses.

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