We’ve been waiting for this release since 2020. DeVita has finally come back with a new EP after two years. As one of the few women signed to the AOMG label and a newer face to the company, there was a lot of anticipation surrounding the release of American Gothic. We’ll break down the seven track EP in this Surprise of the Week.

The EP was first showcased in a pre-release video for the opening track “Eat Your Heart Out, Buddy Kane!,” released on February 10. The video opens up in a haunting shadowy scene with DeVita placing roses in a long row in the middle of the street, dressed in what appears to be a white wedding dress. The dark imagery takes center stage as she begins to sing, speaking of a toxic relationship and her triumph over it. Her vocals shine over everything in this song, conveying the intensity of the lyrics through a snare drum-driven beat that gives off marching band vibes.

The title track “Bonnie & Clyde” came out on February 15. Like the pre-release, the title is an all-English track. The song is definitely heavily R&B influenced, but it has a bit of a retro quality to it as well, especially at the chorus. It’s been a while since studying music, but to me this feels like a waltz time signature, which makes the song particularly addicting. The track definitely has a lighter tone than the pre-release, but toward the end it takes a very sinister tone to match the title of the track, a reference to an infamous crime duo. In the video, we see DeVita appear in a classic gangster outfit and pull out an automatic rifle and shoot behind the curtain, implying she’s shooting herself and her backup dancers.

With these two tracks opening the album, let’s take a look at the remaining tracks on the album. “Cheese In The Trap” is the first B-side and features veteran Jay Park. We get a little taste of DeVita rapping early in the song, which contrasts with the slow tempo and more cabaret sounding vibe in the melody. The tone definitely switches for Jay Park’s opening line, but as it continues, it returns to the original melody and flows a bit better. “Superstar” shifts gears completely, providing a soft acoustic track that sings of melancholy in a very real and raw way. With the simple melody remaining stagnant throughout, DeVita’s vocals and lyrics standout as the most important elements of the track.

“Let u in - DeVita Solo Version” moves to a more classic bluesy tone, with a moderate driving tempo and the heartbroken lyrics taking center stage. There is a sort of calming effect to this song, with DeVita showing a return to the root of R&B and showcasing the power in that. “Pine” has a very minimalist feel, once again placing vocals as the main driving point of the song, only supported by a soft electronic melody. The album closes out with a Korean version of the title “Bonnie & Clyde,” which provides a new side to the song. 

All in all, American Gothic is an EP that focuses most of the attention on DeVita as a singer, and there’s no doubt she carries that title. Without stellar vocals, this would be an impossible sound to master, but DeVita does it with ease. If you need some good bluesy music or you're in some type of mood, this is the perfect album for you.