For some, Devil’s Halo may feel like a major departure from Me’Shell’s sound or previous albums. It could be conceived as more of a “rock” flavoured album as opposed to her “jazzy/funky” stuff that she is well known for. Devil’s Halo is raw, organic and is a great modern sounding mixture of all of her influences. I really believe that Me’Shell can do no wrong and appreciate her ability to shift, evolve and make music that represents where her ears, heart and sensibilities are at now. We all know she can play and is such a badass and I love that she doesn’t feel the need to remind her audience of her virtuosity all the time. I delight in the aural textures and the breathing spaces that are created on this album. I also really dig how much she really sings on this album. Her voice is different somehow, a little softer and there is a vulnerability in the arrangements and her vocal performance that is refreshing and intriguing. I think listening to this album is like eating a chocolate meringue. It has great texture and a bold flavour with a fullness and depth that lingers, all the while floating light as air on your palette. For me experiencing the combination of boldness and vulnerability, heft and weightlessness is intoxicating and brings me back to the album again and again to ponder how each of these elements can co-exist.
