Charmian Devi - Diamond Hour (2026)

Looking at a collaborators list for this album, the first thought that comes to mind is that there must be something interesting going on here. Otherwise, how do you get a list of collaborators for a debut album that includes Tony Garnier (Bob Dylan), Dan Hickey (B-52’s, Cyndi Lauper, They Might Be Giants), Lenny Kaye (Patti Smith Group), Connor Kennedy (Steely Dan), Brian Marsella (John Zorn), and Steve Shelley (Sonic Youth)?

The album in question is Diamond Hour by Montreal’s Charmian Devi, and it just might be a misnomer to call her singer songwriter, because the sound she and her collaborators create on the 10-track has more to do with a highly sophisticated indie band that has quite a bit of albums and other releases behind it.

Otherwise, how would you be able to create this sort of sophisticated pop/rock, unless you are a thoroughly talented songwriter and performer that knows exactly what she’s doing? Well, maybe Devi just might be that talent to do it right off the bat.