By Keith Walsh
From his Tardis Studios in the greater Los Angeles area, Julian Shah-Tayler brings another brilliant new single, “The Devil Knows,” in two versions. Stylistically, there are elements of progressive dance and the analog synth sounds of the 80s. One point of reference is Depeche Mode, which isn’t surprising because Shah-Tayler plays the role of Alan Wilder in the tribute band Strangelove, using actual synth patch and settings info acquired from Wilder himself in a great serendipitous stroke of fortune.

There’s also a fun Bowie-esque flavor to the tune, not just because Shah-Tayler is also a fabulous Bowie cover artist, with The Band That Fell To Earth and solo, but because he is a fan of all types of music, including the great sounds of electronica going back four decades, and all of the bands Bowie influenced, a list that would fill several pages.

Despite the backstory (and Shah-Tayler’s back-characters) this is music that stands on its own. “The Devil Knows” is a funky, poppy kinetic track that is fun despite sounding somewhat pessimistic lyrically, at first listen. But as Shah-Tayler explained, that’s only part of the story. “The song is about hope transcending pessimism,” he writes, in a exchange on Facebook Messenger. “We all have those relationships that dissolve into recriminations and ugliness. I choose to focus on the upside. Whatever the fight, there’s always the heavenly side and the Devil’s commentary sitting on our shoulder. Being only human leaves us open to temptation, Love and Hate, and I choose to see the light. An Angel born of fire.” Shah-Tayler accomplishes the thematic turnaround, both lyrically and melodically in a transcendent passage that brings the song to its stunning conclusion.

In addition to the electronic “Singularity Version,” on which Shah-Tayler plays everything,  there is a “Ruby Rock’ version that features David J of Bauhaus and Love and Rockets on bass guitar. The first version features funky guitar, and some synth effects, while the second version features rocking guitar, bass by David J  and Mark Slutsky’s powerful drums — but they both are dynamic, kicking recordings.

I asked Shah-Tayler why he there are two versions of the song. He replied: “It was necessary to have two versions because I was very proud of my version and also loved the version that MGT and David J brought to the table. they are completely different sides to the same coin. One is Dionysus, and one is Apollo. It speaks to the duality of the song itself.” That’s an apt description from one who studied Philosophy at York University before embarking on a musical career in London, and now Los Angeles.

Check out “The Devil Knows” on Spotify and everywhere else. Two videos will be released soon!

Julian Shah-Tayler on Facebook
Julian Shah-Tayler on YouTube

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