Your Sympathy

Los Angeles-based Devon Williams is a gifted young songwriter and musician. He's traveled from punk rock roots to a place where power pop meets classic '60s melodies, the best of swirling '80s-flavored production and shimmering, jangling guitars. His brilliant debut solo album Carefree, released in 2008, showcased timeless pop that's equal parts Brill Building and Topanga Canyon, hearkening back to great songwriters like Nilsson, Chilton, Downes and Westerberg. Buoyed by Wall-of-Sound production, economical arrangements and a wealth of 12-string jangle, Carefree is a perfect pop record in the truest sense, bursting with melody that rewards repeated listens.