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Devon Gilfillian's latest album is a bold declaration of Black joy

Devon Gilfillian
Emmanuel Afolabi
/
Courtesy of the artist
Devon Gilfillian

Devon Gilfillian's new album, Love You Anyway, is just as much a celebration as it is a declaration. The musician's third studio album addresses the widening political gap in American culture, chronicling his last three years living in Nashville. The album broaches tough subjects like voter suppression, but it's also a groovy soundtrack to late nights and good times.

Gilfillian clearly has taken to heart the ideas of Marvin Gaye. He covered the whole of What's Going On in 2021, and on Love You Anyway, he draws inspiration from Gaye's 1976 album, I Want You, a disco-influenced seductive soul record.

In this session, Gilfillian talks about blending both influences, jamming with Nathaniel Rateliff, and his close relationship with his father.

Copyright 2023 XPN

Miguel Perez
Miguel Perez is a radio producer for NPR's World Cafe, based out of WXPN in Philadelphia. Before that, he covered arts, music and culture for KERA in Dallas. He reported on everything from the rise of NFTs in the music industry to the enduring significance of gay and lesbian bars to the LGBTQ community in North Texas.