Liar Liar…

If I had a nickel for every time I became mildly (read: incredibly) obsessed with an album with blue and orange color symbolism made by a guy who is wrongly associated with emo music I’d have two nickels. It’s weird that it happened twice, right? iDKHOW’s sophomore album GLOOM DIVISION is one of these two. It is an absolutely brilliant album both lyrically and sonically and I gobbled it up, I’ll tell you that. 

Today, though, I’m putting emphasis on one song in particular: SPKOTHDVL. The title itself means either of the following, according to Dallon Weekes: Speak of the Devil or Speak o’ the Devil. After a tumultuous split with a former band member, Weekes returned with a new album and a slightly different sound. This song speaks to the latter half of that and pokes fun at those who want to complain. Weekes often plays with the sarcastic image of himself as a star, e.g., Do It All the Time, and he revisits that in this song when referring to “your front-page boy” which we can assume is him. The chorus encourages the listener to shut off the record because it doesn’t sound quite right, they’ve tried something new so it’s better to turn it off than adjust one’s expectations. I think it’s a fabulous way to acknowledge and, frankly, laugh at critics. Of course, an artist is going to change and grow! No one wants identical albums, then everyone would complain and boo that too. This song feels like a promise that Weekes intends to keep: the music may change but the artistry won’t. He’ll grow and evolve but that magic touch will always be there.

 This song, as well as the rest of the album, transports me back in time to the 80s when I’m either dancing my heart out at a club or listening to some of my favorites on the drive home with the windows down. Given how long this album has been on repeat, it’s safe to say I’m looking on the Sunnyside and I won’t be turning off the record.

P.S. Sorry for lying to you that one time, Mr. Weekes. Next Dr. Pepper’s on me.

written by h capotosto 6/5/24