'The Devil Below Me' from Brighton-based singer-songwriter Josh McGovern opens like something from a film. Dark and brooding, McGovern's deep baritone, smokey voice coils around a song which is rich in folk, Americana and blues. It's slow burning and very intense with arrangements and harmonies that both move and stir the soul. From his early years, McGovern's musical influences ranged from Neil Young, Johnny Cash, The Beach Boys and Joni Mitchell and more recently, Nathaniel Rateliff, Matthew and The Atlas and Ben Howard. 

Regarding the single McGovern says, “I was first inspired to write ‘The Devil Below Me’ as a response to change in my life. The song itself is a tale of past conflicts and a study of myself. It is very personal to me, it reflects on my family tree and past mistakes. I wanted to create something that represented the contrast in people’s lives, something people could relate to on a deeper level. The recording process was very special for me, I had the honour of recording at Retreat Studios where Nick Cave recently recorded a large portion of ‘Skeleton Tree’”.

Josh McGovern has had support from BBC Introducing South who featured 'The Devil Below Me' as 'Track of The Day'. His new single is certainly an accomplished piece of work with pounding drums and intoxicatingly soulful vocals. The song might draw to a close, but it won't leave your mind for the longest time.