New Levels New Devils
The guitar lines on New Levels New Devils often behave like a lead vocal cut into small pieces. Polyphia place short melodic figures over trap-influenced drums and deep bass, then reshape them through slides, harmonics and sudden changes in register. The result is technically elaborate music with a strong sense of rhythm and a distinctly playful attitude.
G.O.A.T. makes the approach particularly clear. Its central guitar idea is recognisable enough to hold the track together while the detail keeps changing around it. Tim Henson and Scott LePage use the spaces between notes as part of the hook, allowing the rhythm to remain as important as the speed of the playing. The piece feels carefully constructed without losing its immediate character.
The guest appearances bring useful differences in phrasing. Mateus Asato's contribution to Drown adds a warmer, more sustained melodic presence, fitting naturally into the band's calmer setting. Yas gives the interlocking guitars another kind of fluidity, while Rich Kids introduces Yvette Young's distinct approach to melody and movement. The production makes these changes easy to hear, keeping the guitar parts bright above the low rhythmic foundation. Clay Gober's bass helps connect the electronic influence to the feel of a band performance.
So Strange changes the perspective by adding Cuco's singing. His relaxed delivery fits the lighter groove, and the guitars become part of a more conventional song without disappearing into the background. The album is less successful when a sequence of impressive gestures does not develop into an equally clear composition. Some tracks offer more detail than direction, and the constantly polished surface can make the emotional range feel narrow. The strongest material avoids that problem through a memorable central idea. Polyphia's combination of guitar technique and beat-focused production is persuasive because the two elements alter one another. The best passages make the guitar feel like a flexible part of contemporary rhythm music, with enough melodic identity to remain interesting after the initial display of skill.
