How It Ends

iTunes Review

Expanding on the delightful eclecticism of Una Volta, DeVotchKa aims for grand and sweeping on their fourth release and succeeds beautifully. Creating a globetrotting sound is tricky business, and in less capable hands such an effort could devolve into a sprawling “world music” mess, but this quartet of classically trained musicians has a clear vision and the chops to match. Each member plays several instruments, and plays them well, and they layer elements of Latin, Balkan, Russian, and Romani music, among other styles, into a unique and thrilling sound of their own. (Precious few bands can do this.) The other magic ingredient is the voice of Nick Urata, an amazing instrument in its own right. His voice positively soars on shimmering, melodramatic masterpieces like “You Love Me,” “How It Ends,” and “Twenty-Six Temptations.” From the mariachi horns of “We’re Leaving” to the Silk Road journey of the instrumental “Lunnaya Pogonka,” they move to so many places it leaves the listener giddy and nearly in a trance. Passionate, intriguing, and highly addictive, How it Ends is an impressive achievement.