Double Helix Records told Jason DeVore, frontman of Authority Zero, to “make the record he’s always wanted to make.” With that, DeVore gifted us ‘Til the Voice Goes Out: an album that is both a musical triumph and a personal declaration of resilience. Thank you, Jason, thank you.
This 12-track collection, released on June 7th, captures the raw emotion and nuanced experiences of DeVore’s life.
The album opens with the explosive single “Turn It Off!”, mixed by three-time GRAMMY Award-winner Tom Lord-Alge (blink-182, Weezer, Fall Out Boy). Featuring Kris Roe from The Ataris and Brendan Scholz from Mercy Music, this track sets a high-energy tone, crescendoing into a vibrant montage reminiscent of early 1990s movie soundtracks. It also blends hints of Flogging Molly and DEVO, making it a truly unique song that encourages others to turn off negativity and embrace positivity.
The heart of the album, however, lies in tracks like “Count Me In” and “Courage”. “Count Me In” stands out with its haunting violin and poignant lyrics, reflecting DeVore’s personal transformation since achieving sobriety. It’s a song that captures the essence of hitting rock bottom and emerging stronger, a testament to his journey of healing and self-discovery. “Courage”, on the other hand, is an evocative ballad that explores the theme of personal bravery, culminating in a powerful climax. Around the four-minute mark, DeVore passionately scream-sings with declarative urgency for the acknowledgement of a person’s individualized courage — both internal and external.
It leaves listeners with goosebumps.
DeVore’s growth as an artist is evident throughout the album. Songs like “I’m On A Beach”, with a hint of Latin flair and humorous music video, and “Don’t Poke the Bear”, with its blend of indie rock and unexpected horns, showcase his versatility and willingness to experiment. These tracks provide a refreshing contrast to the more introspective and emotional pieces, adding layers to the album’s overall narrative.
DeVore really does take us on an emotionally expansive journey. A particularly bold choice is the inclusion of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”; DeVore’s stripped-down version, accompanied by a simple guitar and occasional violin, brings his vocal artistry to the forefront. This cover ties the themes of music, faith, and sobriety together, adding a profound layer to the album.
Tracks like “Lonely Soul” and “Go For It” delve into introspection and self-reflection. “Lonely Soul” prompts listeners to consider music as a healer of loneliness, while “Go For It” reads like an open page of DeVore’s journal — raw and honest. The title track “‘Til The Voice Goes Out” transitions from a sorrowful intro to a lively, anthemic celebration of perseverance, embodying the album’s core message. The first verse plants an image in the listener’s head of DeVore alone on a stage, with nothing but his guitar and a spotlight. However, once the chorus hits, fans will find themselves fully energized. DeVore’s ability to shift someone swaying along with planted feet to a person jumping around at full-throttle with a single bridge is otherworldly.
The album closes with “Beamer”, an acoustic piece shifting focus from DeVore’s own growth to the growth of his listeners.
He addresses his fans as “friends” and “beamers”, insisting that he can see them “beaming”, which creates a sense of brotherhood and mutual support. This final track leaves a lasting impression, emphasizing connection and shared experiences. While it is always a bummer when an album comes to an end, concluding with “Beamer” leaves the listener feeling as though they are wrapped up in a warm blanket, ready to be tucked in.
‘Til the Voice Goes Out is a journey through every emotion, from happiness and empowerment to sorrow and nostalgia. Jason DeVore’s growth as an artist (and as a human) is evident in this album, making it a shining chapter in his musical legacy. Fans of Authority Zero and DeVore’s previous solo albums will find this latest effort both familiar and refreshingly new, solidifying DeVore’s place as a versatile and influential musician.
Keep reading to learn what DeVore had to say about the album for himself.
What inspired the title ”Til the Voice Goes Out’?
- JD: It started as something I would always say to fans at the end of shows when chatting it up. They would many times say, “Please don’t ever stop” to which I would respond, “I’ll keep singing til the voice goes out”. It kind of stuck through this process and made sense lyrically with the message or honesty behind the songs alluding to speaking your voice and mind and never stopping until you no longer can.
Can you walk us through your songwriting process for this album? Were there any unique challenges you faced?
- With touring as much as my band does, time was the biggest challenge. The writing process for the songs themselves was very organic and somewhat simple. Many of them were older concepts and parts I had written while on the road that I came across and built on.
How does ‘”Til the Voice Goes Out’ differ from your previous solo work and your work with Authority Zero?
- It’s much more advanced in the song writing respect, I feel, from prior solo works and certainly the production has been scaled up. More instrumentation and talents of others were involved which really helped make each song shine. As far as different from my works with Authority Zero, I’d say just about everything is different from it stylistically. A different vibe and a different flow sonically. Much more mellow but still intense.
Do you have a favorite track on the album? If so, what makes it special to you?
- I honestly love them all equally, but I’d say “Count Me In” holds a special place in my heart. That song speaks of a turning point in my life as a whole.
How have you grown as an artist across your four solo albums? Any new techniques or styles you experimented with?
- I think I’ve just grown through experience really. I’ve gotten better at guitar, singing, and songwriting as well. I feel I’ve found my voice more throughout it all in respect to my solo music and I’ve been embracing it.
What central themes or messages are you hoping listeners take away from ”Til the Voice Goes Out’?
- I’m hoping this will take you through every emotion possible. Happy, sad, empowered, courageous…you name it. I think this album takes you on a journey through all of those.
Were there any unexpected influences or inspirations for this album?
- I think there were but they were so unexpected that I couldn’t even tell you what they were, haha.
As an artist of many mediums, how did you approach the visual aspects of this album, such as the cover art? Or upcoming music videos?
- I look at all of it as a giant art piece from song to cover to videos. The cover art I had the idea for driving around on a stressed out afternoon and I remember pulling my phone out with the concept in mind and snapping a shot like the one you see on the album. To me, it was just a visual representation of the pure emotion you try to express or hold in daily that is just dying to get out of each of us. It just made total sense to me and I never looked back. You don’t really see people watching or caring much about music videos anymore and that bums me out. They can be so much more than just the artist karaoke singing their own song back visually. I feel if you’re going to do one, have as much fun with it as you can; make it a piece of art or a short film even! I love acting and shock value– always have and I think that just comes with loving to be entertained and entertaining myself.
How do you balance your solo career with your work in Authority Zero? Is it ever challenging to switch gears between the two?
- It’s definitely a balancing act with them being completely different monsters but they’re both really one in the same when it comes to expression. So that’s never really seemed to be an issue which is great.
What advice would you give to upcoming artists regarding project management?
- Give yourself grace in the tough times. Be patient but also leave no stone unturned. Be aggressive in the creative respect.
Where do you feel most creative? Is there a particular place or environment that sparks your creativity?
- Man, I’m honestly constantly having ideas it’s almost hard to turn off. I’m always thinking of song ideas through life experiences which luckily is a constant, haha.
What do you hope ‘Til the Voice Goes Out adds to your musical legacy? How do you want it to be remembered?
- I hope it adds an honest chapter to it. That people will look back on it and see it as I do as a shining moment of growth in my long musical career.
How do you know when a song or an album is finished?
- Funnily enough, to me (and the producers can attest to this) the album is never finished but sometimes you need to know when to call it; realize that you’ve done some really great work, you’ve put your everything into it and that in and of itself is good enough.
I always ask this question because I think mental health should be openly talked about – How do you maintain your mental health in this industry? What advice would you give to struggling musicians?
- Exercise, good diet, reading, writing, rest as much as you can when you can to eliminate added physical stress, and ultimately, performing. I get to scream and sing out my frustrations about any issues I may have or have had nightly to the point of exhaustion so that helps immensely.
Readers, Keep scrolling if you want to learn some interesting facts about DeVore that are unrelated to ‘Til the Voice Goes Out:
If you had to describe ”Til the Voice Goes Out’ as a midnight snack, what snack would it be?
- Crème Brûlée
First up, what was the first concert you went to, and who did you go with?
- JD: My first big rock concert was Def Leppard and Ugly Kid Joe with my dad when I was 11. It was the coolest shit ever.
If you had to ride a tandem bicycle with any musician, past or present, who would you choose?
- Bob Marley
What is your favorite instrument to listen to?
- The voice
Do you have any good book recommendations?
- Anything by Dan Brown. I like his storytelling.
What is your go to, sing alone in the car, power ballad?
- ‘Sink Florida Sink’ by Against Me!
If you were not a musician/performer what job do you think you would have?
- I wanted to be a pro skateboarder or snowboarder growing up so that would be rad. Hey, there’s still time!
If you could snap your fingers and be anywhere in the world right now, where would you want to be and why?
- In Canada for the tour that’s about to start up to avoid the flights.
When you’re 80-years-old and looking back on your time as a musician, what is the story you will tell your grandchildren?
- I’ll simply say, “Ol’ Grandad has seen some things…take a seat”.
And lastly, what office supply could you not live without?
- A pencil
Artist Links: Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Spotify
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Disclaimer: All views presented in this album review are those of the reviewer and not necessarily those of Top Shelf Music.
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