Dark and Light Struggle in Tyminski’s ‘Devil Is Downtown’ Video [Exclusive Premiere]

Tyminski released his debut solo project, Southern Gothic, last year to rave reviews. Taste of Country even declared the 13-track offering one of nine albums that defined 2017. Now he's offering ToC readers the first look at the video for one of the songs, "Devil Is Downtown."

Southern Gothic came to fruition after the 25-year member of Alison Krauss and Union Station saw global success from lending his vocals to Avicii's massive hit "Hey Brother," which went to No. 1 in 18 countries. Instead of writing for other artists, Tyminski began to consider saving songs for himself. The album finds the 14-time Grammy winner blending multiple genres including country and bluegrass. Perhaps most striking, however, are the vivid lyrics and unique musical accompaniment within each song.

Taste of Country has the exclusive premiere of the Wes Edwards-directed music video for the haunting "Devil Is Downtown," which Tyminski co-wrote with Ashley Monroe and Paul Moak. As with many songs from the project, the track addresses the endless struggle between light and dark.

"'Devil is Downtown' speaks of the many temptations of our times and a growing negative influence that can’t be ignored," Tyminski tells Taste of Country of the song.

The stirring music video brings these temptations to life as a woman struggles between good and self-destructive impulses. Her decision plays out in the nearly three-minute clip, as she ponders the options of praying in a church or going downtown to forget her worries.

"If you're searching, if you're looking for a change / Go where you can see the stars / And they don't seem so far away / But if you’re hurtin’ and you need to kill the pain / The devil is downtown," Tyminski sings in the chorus.

“I feel that the light and dark in this record are truly my journey, my personal journey in life,” Tyminski explains. “I think we all feel that whisper from each side of your shoulder, someone saying, ‘Yeah do it,’ or, 'No don’t do it.’ I have an enormous struggle with that in my life, but it’s something that I’m aware of. I try to make sure that I understand what the right voice is. I don’t make quick decisions because light and dark, in my opinion, can often look very similar.”

Tyminski's "Devil Is Downtown" Lyrics:

The voice of an angel, the face of a friend / If you're running from trouble well he'll take you in / He'll hear your confession with a promise of grace / The devil is downtown, it's a hell of a place

Anything you can ask for, whatever you need / It’s there for the takin’, but nothing is free / The lights and the music, the smell and the taste / The devil is downtown, it's a hell of a place

Chorus:

And if you're searching, if you're looking for a change / Go where you can see the stars / And they don't seem so far away / But if you’re hurtin’ and you need to kill the pain / The devil is downtown

A heart never heals after it breaks / You just learn how to deal and live with the pain / And it's gonna happen, make no mistake / The devil is downtown, it's a hell of a place

The devil is downtown / The voice of an angel, the face of a friend / The devil is downtown and he'll take you in

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