Anna Devine - Seeing the Trees for the Leaves, Review

 Anna Devine - Seeing the Trees for the Leaves

Review By Chilly Oppa

    The Twin Cities music scene is full of underappreciated talent, and Anna Devine is a shining example of that. Discovering her music couldn’t have come at a better time, just as I was diving into the worlds of folk, alternative, and indie rock. Her sound captures a warm, bohemian side of the Cities’ music culture that often flies under the radar but deserves far more attention.

Seeing the Trees for the Leaves is Anna Devine’s debut project, and getting to experience it with fresh ears feels like discovering something rare. It’s not often I stumble upon an artist at the very start of their journey, which makes this review feel extra special. Let’s dive in.

    Graduation 

The start to this album feels like a breath of fresh air, with soft drums, wistful guitar, and lulling vocals that intertwine perfectly with the melody. Right away, I love the overall positive perspective that Anna Devine brings to this track. She sings of seeing things in a hopeful light, knowing that we have the power to be mindful of the good things happening, regardless of the bad. Anna's vivid imagery is a huge stand out here. Not only did she use it to open the track and set the scene, but she also used it to pay homage to some of the most iconic landmarks in the twin cities (Shouting out First Ave. and The Grand View Theatre). As a proud local, this really created a personal connection to the song for me. I've always felt a deep appreciation for good representation of my hometown, and it's extremely refreshing to actually be hearing that! I also really love the final line of the chorus, that states "to learn everything by graduation, and still know nothing at all", which to me adds to the songs overall theme of perspective. As the song concludes, we're met with a bridge that brings a slight shift in the mood. Here we're met with added layers, like bouncy piano keys and a subtle electric guitar, creating a more upbeat atmosphere to close out the song. I really liked how this song progressed instrumentally, as well as the great imagery and Minnesota representation. Overall a lovely start to the album.

    This Time 

The second track takes on a much more melancholic tone. It opens with raw, folk-heavy guitar layered under graceful strings and charming vocals. I really enjoyed the vulnerable nature of the lyrics paired with the emotional instrumentation. Anna Devine starts the song by name dropping the album title followed by a line about handling changes, before transitioning into the chorus. It’s also the first moment where the album’s title is directly referenced, a line that seems to reflect the central theme of grappling with change and perspective, which I’ll unpack more later. The chorus picks up in dynamics, as the vocal tone shifts from subdued, to assertive and powerful, all while staying graceful. In the chorus Anna says, "You just leave me hanging out to dry, and I don't know how I'm gonna feel this time". This is one of the more memorable moments on this album for me, especially because of how well she exhibited her vocal range and projection here. On top of that, the accompanying strings are absolutely enchanting. In the demurely sung short verses, the lyrics are tender and very poetic, making them prone to different interpretations (I do have my own that I'll share on my final statement). This was for sure my favorite song on the EP, because it all worked so well together. From the impressive vocals, to the well executed harmony and emotional weight, this track captivated me in so many ways.

    Passenger 

This track begins with a whimsical chord progression that has a nostalgic essence to it, which is my favorite feeling when hearing something for the first time. With a slow dance-esque tempo, rustic guitar notes, and an angelic supporting violin (via Lucy Chinn), Anna Devine serenades us with a dolorous vocal style and a folk heavy delivery. This record feels deeply intimate and personal, due to the evocative and emotional nature of the lyrics, It sounds like a message of reflection sent to someone that she was once close with. This song is full of poetic & introspective imagery, which I'm seeing as a consistent stand out attribute from Anna Devine. I appreciate the way that the song builds in tone and I love the creativity shown vocally on the chorus! The more I listened, the more it resonated, both in structure and emotion. My main take away, is that there was so much shown on this track that I hadn't heard prior. A stripped down vocal delivery and notable tone shift showcased a strong sense of versatility as an artist, which I find extremely important. While not my personal favorite, ‘Passenger’ revealed a more introspective and vulnerable side of Anna Devine, and that emotional depth adds real richness to the EP as a whole.

    Year's End 

To conclude the EP, we're brought full circle to the single that was released in anticipation for the project. I absolutely love the tone, energy and layering of this song right off the bat. This might be the most impressive track on the project, both in terms of lyricism and production! The band worked with seemingly perfect chemistry to compose a cheerful melody with a smooth progression. As we arrive at the first verse we're welcomed by the poetic imagery that we've seen from Anna Devine before, and possibly the strongest delivery of it. "December 30th, body bags of Christmas trees" Is the opening line on this track, which not only establishes the setting extremely well, but also hooks the listener immediately. This is just one of several standout lyrics, many of which deliver a hopeful outlook, something that feels especially refreshing to hear (especially as a mental health advocate). "This too shall pass, whether you like it or not" and "I think I'll never get over it, and of course I always do" both resonated with me on a deep level and stuck with me. Anna executed these lyrics with an empowered delivery, perfectly encompassing the songs essence. The instrumentation on this is incredible as well! It gifts us with a lively and high spirited tone, with all instruments involved working in perfect harmony. The mix and layering are the final flourish, showcasing just how skillfully this track was crafted. Every element of the song stood out yet didn't outshine the other components, and highlighted the vocals rather than drowning them out. As a closing track, ‘Year’s End’ doesn’t just tie the project together, it elevates it. It’s both a resolution and a reminder that even the hardest seasons give way to renewal.

    So, to wrap things up, I'm extremely pleased with Seeing the Trees for the Leaves. I feel lucky not only to have discovered such a talented rising artist, but also to have been welcomed by the kind, creative energy of the Twin Cities indie/folk scene. I’m honestly blown away by how much artistry has been blooming right under my nose, and I’m excited to keep exploring it.

There’s so much to love about this EP, but what really stood out were the poetic imagery, heartfelt lyrics, and graceful instrumentation. From rustic guitar lines to enchanting strings, each track was layered with intention and beauty. The overall tone of the project felt like an open conversation, one about growing, noticing, and learning to sit with life’s subtleties.

After a few listens, I kept coming back to the title. The phrase “Seeing the forest for the trees” usually means seeing the bigger picture, but Seeing the Trees for the Leaves feels like an inversion of that. To me, it suggests embracing life’s fine details, the little emotional shifts and quiet realizations that shape who we become. Whether that was the intended meaning or not, it struck a chord with me. I also really appreciated that the EP was only four songs long. For a debut, that level of focus and digestibility is a smart move, and it made each song land with more weight.

All in all, Anna Devine delivered a project that’s both elegant and emotionally rich. I’m not only a new fan, I’ve also rediscovered a love for a local music scene that has so much more to offer!