Devastations' Yes, U is one of our favorites of this young year. They released decent work in the past -- including 2006's Coal -- but the Australian trio's third album is light (and dark) years ahead of anything they've done before. There were a bunch of comparisons to the National when they first hit (perhaps due in part to their affiliation with Brassland, who put out the last album). There are a couple songs on Yes, U that might make you think "Berninger," but for the most their shooting into a different, noisier and more noirish direction -- more space, darkness, elegance, chilly pianos, icy drum machines, etc. Maybe their relocation to Berlin did something? (That's how Thom would explain it.) Or maybe it's the added noises from HTRK's Nigel Yang? Whatever the case, the label's comparisons to Suicide and Scott Walker actually make sense. "Rosa," though, is more Drake-style exorcism.

Devastations - "Rosa" (MP3)

It's such a great song, and we were curious about the storyline, so we asked vocalist/bassist Conrad Standish a few questions. Something we rarely do. He provided us with just enough info to deepen the understanding, but not enough to erase the mystery...

[Photo by Joe Dilworth]