Jack Devlin – Default Days (2025)
If Paolo Nutini and Sam Fender were to adopt a child and raise him on a diet of blue-eyed soul, folk and indie-rock, the child would be Jack Devlin. Embracing the power of freedom and escapism, he harnesses the cheekiness of a mischievous imp, the raw power of a twinkling fairy, and the kaleidoscopic charm of an adrenaline-chasing adventurer in his moving music. This is our introduction to the UK-based musician, but he is already building a following and turning heads across the country. The latest addition to his discography is ‘Default Days’
Following his debut track ‘Radio’, ‘Default Days’ shifts from a soul-driven, folk-inspired tint of indie-rock to a stronger leaning toward the indie side of things. Produced with Shea Tohill, the track is a combination of soaring guitars, a bold drum, and slips of percussion wafting about the tune. The magical production wand binds the instrumentation in a harmonic rhythm; however, the groove clamps the individuality of each element within this symphony. Moreover, there is a raw vulnerability within Devlin’s vocals that bridges sophisticated elegance with heart-warming, youthful innocence.
Melodically, ‘Default Days’ is a charming track brimming with kaleidoscopic warmth – the song you want to love as it embraces you like an old friend. Yet, while happy and fun, there is a profound intimacy lingering in the personal narrative. Devlin explains:
“’Default Days’ is a really personal song for me. It’s about losing my cousin, who sadly drowned while we were swimming. I wanted to remember all the good times we had and think about who he might be now. It’s also about how that loss changed me – growing up, facing the real world, and how weird that transition can feel. We all miss parts of our childhood sometimes. Even though the song is a bit dark, it ended up with this unexpected position energy.”
Sincere, sentimental and tender, Jack Devlin makes his way to our ears with reflective, introspective honesty. I cannot wait for more from this artist and know that after one listen, you won’t be able to wait either.
Find out more about Jack Devlin on his Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Spotify.
Listen to more indie-folk on The Other Side Reviews Indie Folk playlist:
