Valley Lights drops ‘Devil May Care’ LP

In Los Angeles, there are places where the city’s shiny exterior begins to crack and beyond the glow of marquees and velvet ropes sits a different version of Hollywood filled with brief connections, tarnished glamour and the emotional residue left behind after long nights. It’s within that landscape that Valley Lights has forged his unique artistic identity, creating electronic pop that captures the tension between fantasy and reality.

Over the last few years, Valley Lights has developed a sound firmly based in atmosphere and emotion while drawing influence from the analogue warmth of the 80s and embracing the seductive pulse of modern R&B and funk. His music forms in the overlap where nostalgia and modern pop collide, resulting a sonic output that feels cinematic and immersive, soundtracking moments of reflection and reckless abandon with equal conviction.

His songs are populated by glowing synths, driving rhythms and emotional themes that mirror the city which inspires them. The romance in the music it is seldom uncomplicated and Valley Lights focuses on the confusing spaces where relationships unravel, where memories persist and where solitude arrives long after the excitement has faded. That approach first came into sharp focus with his 2023 debut album, Two Lane Highway which unveiled a sonic world built from slick drum machines, soaring guitar lines, passionate vocal performances and basslines that seemed to pulse with a life of their own.

Since then, the project has continued to develop and now signed to Outland Recordings, Valley Lights is moving further into the shadows that have always existed at the edge of his music. Stepping into this exciting new chapter with the release of his new sophomore record titled Devil May Care, he delivers what may be his most emphatic artistic statement thus far. Across ten tracks, the record expands the scope of Valley Lights’ vision, bringing together widescreen indie rock, alternative pop and nocturnal synth textures into an engrossing musical voyage.

Kicked off by the bright synth pips on opening track “Giving Up On You,” Valley Lights’ soulful vocals enter to spin infectious melodic hooks carrying heartfelt lyricism above. Developing with the steady patter of drums, pulsing synths and intricate lead guitar flickers, it’s a dazzling synth pop outing that’s memorable and meaningful from start to finish. “Alexandra” flows with shimmering synth textures before the rumble of bass tones ushers in commanding vocals and stacks of driving instrumentation, serving up an alternative pop anthem tinged with gripping synthwave vibes.

Murky instrumental elements and distant vocal samples set up “Fading Light” before the track comes into focus with impassioned vocals, picture painting lyrics and enveloping layers of synths, propelled by the punch of crisp percussion to deliver a moody jam that surges with danceable energy. Tracks like “Something Worth Living For” lean into an uplifting rock-inflected pop scene where fuzzy bass synth lines and punchy drums underpin Valley Lights’ captivating vocal performance.

Other highlights on the record include tracks like “Indiscretions” which brings a funk-driven disco pop vibe brimming with colourful instrumentation, grooving rhythms and compelling vocals which stitch instantly catchy melodic leads and lyrics about infatuation into the invigorating musical fabric. “New Mexico” glides with woozy synth textures and bubbling lead notes to cast a dreamy soundscape that rolls with the laid back taps of drums and emotive vocals, offering a moving and truly alluring moment that’s charming and transportive throughout.

“In The Silence” builds with the pulse of staccato synth layers and twanging guitar lines as the uptempo strike of drums injects a smooth forward motion, swelling with thrilling energy capped by intoxicating vocal work. Closing the album with “Life on the Edge,” hazy instrumental elements drift into view before pounding drums and crunching guitars collide in a burst of rock energy, progressing with consuming atmosphere, superb sax flourishes and enthralling guitar leads, serving up an epic conclusion to the sensational second album from Valley Lights.

Listen to Devil May Care below