Amigo the Devil aka Danny Kiranos

Amigo the Devil… Where should I begin? Until today, I hadn’t formally introduced myself to the music of Amigo the Devil, also known as singer-songwriter Danny Kiranos. While I’ve casually encountered a song or two in my playlist’s “similar artists” section, it wasn’t until I listened to his latest album, Yours Until the War Is Over, that I truly grasped the depth, weight, and sheer darkness he embodies. With skillful acoustic guitars and clanging clawhammer banjo, Kiranos has a southern gothic feel. He labels his style as “murder folk,” aligning him closely with acts like the The Dead South or the Bridge City Sinners and their “death folk” genre.

This album is profoundly captivating. Spanning 45 minutes with 13 tracks, it delves into thought-provoking themes of doom and gloom, touching on death, murder, addiction, and tragic loss. Amigo the Devil’s performance exudes a dark flamboyance, emphasizing the bleak pessimism of his lyrics with neurotic, sometimes hysterical enunciations. His presentation feels like a circus sideshow of curiosities, drawing me in with its deliberately theatrical flair that complements his musical style, reminiscent of a darker version of Jack Black with the literary finesse of Edgar Allan Poe.

Lyrics, Songs, and Banjo

The songs unfold like a tumultuous thrill ride with aggressive twists and turns. I’m Going to Heaven immerses listeners in a Ketamine-fueled fever dream of breaking into heaven to avenge a lover’s death, followed by Once Upon a Time in a Texaco Part 1, a hard-hitting banjo-driven tune detailing a robbery turned murderous rampage.

Kiranos’s poetic mind is unmatched. His ability to evoke raw emotions, whether good or bad, sets him apart. The Mechanic tells another chilling tale, portraying an abusive relationship yet weaving in an ironically sweet narrative of regret and hope. Barrell and Staghorn is purely instrumental. Its apocalyptic nature feels close to come, conveyed impressively with only a banjo and ambient noise. The Garden of Leaving is emotionally devastating, vividly depicting the pain of a tragic miscarriage and its impact on Kiranos and his wife. The lyrics are so brutal and honest, I could not bring myself to relisten.

The Cannibal Within, Stray Dogs, and Closer

The Cannibal Within serves as a haunting power ballad, defining one’s inner struggles and depression, encapsulating the tragedy of the human condition. Stray Dogs explores themes of being treated as an outsider and ultimately realizing our shared humanity, daydreaming of one day roaming together. Closer serves as a poignant closer, a beautifully neurotic contemplation on the intricacies of human happiness, pure poetry at its best.

Final Thoughts

Amigo the Devil creates gothic folklore with Yours Until the War is Over

Amigo the Devil has crafted a remarkable album. My brief overview barely scratches the surface of its content. It’s a work that warrants in-depth analysis, akin to a Broadway show unfolding in the mind’s eye, with each lyric vividly painting a cinematic scene. Kiranos has tapped into something truly extraordinary, blending brilliant arrangements, taboo subject matter, and colorful performances to create Yours Until the War is Over, a genuine literary masterpiece. This album stands as one of the most impressive I’ve encountered in years. Well done, Mr. Devil.

Album Release: February 23, 2024       Label: Liars Club/Regime Music Group

Favorite Tracks: Cannibal Within, The Mechanic, Barrel and Staghorn