This Is Devin Gray: My Take On His Playlist

49 songs; 3 hours 15 minutes

Forty-nine songs may feel overwhelming at first, but it’s manageable. It comes down to willpower—and time, perhaps. This playlist is drawn from across Devin Gray’s albums. You’re not hearing complete records, but a selection of tracks from different projects.

Gray strikes me as a prolific musician. He’s hardly alone in that—just this past week I came across Charley Crockett, who has put out two albums in the span of five months. I first heard about him on NPR’s New Music Friday, and I have to say, I really enjoy his Crucified Son.

With Gray, though, one can’t overlook the album covers: bold, colorful, impossible to miss. And then there are the song titles—many of them carry a charge, speaking directly to social concerns.

Of course, you don’t have to take on the whole playlist in one sitting—especially if you plan to write about it. Better to think of it as a listening project, something to return to in stretches.

I omitted some songs in the editing.

The first track is Space Bubble, which also gives its name to the album. Its experimental edge and rough textures make for a daunting opening. Here, Devin Gray teams up with Liz Cosack and Cansu Tanrikulu, creating a sound that leans toward jazz while still pushing its boundaries.