Kevin Bronson on September 27th, 2018

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It’s been eight years between albums for Irishman Colin Devlin, who with his brother Peter helmed the alternative rock band the Devlins for four full-lengths between 1993 and 2004. Colin released his own solo debut, “Democracy of One,” in 2010, and since then he moved to Los Angeles, married and became the father of two and, among his musical exploits, co-wrote several songs on Janiva Magness’s 2016 Grammy-nominated album “Love Wins Again.”

Devlin returns Oct. 5 with the new album “High Point,” arriving via Blue Élan Records, a collection of meticulously sewn hymns that tries to find hope, or at least solace, in this time of seemingly oppressive gloom. The album was produced by Pierre Marchand (Sarah McLachlan, Rufus Wainwright) and features contributions from brother Peter, Matt Chamberlain, Jeremy Ruzumna and Chelsea Williams.

“Between my first album and the new one, I married, had two children and started to see life through a different lens,” Devlin says. “The songs express an awareness of the beauty and temporality of life. We get so caught up, sometimes we don’t stop to realize how momentous each day can be.”

And so it is with the double-edged sword that is “Nostalgia,” in which Devlin takes a somber glance over his shoulder and wearily declares, “I want you / but I don’t want you back.” It’s a song that is equally burnished by regret as it is infused with determination.

“As we get older, things become less black and white, but it’s also easy to only remember the good in an old relationship, and forget about the bad,” Devlin says. “The attraction can always be there, for different reasons, but sooner or later both parties are going to remember how it used to be.”

||| Stream: “Nostalgia”

||| Live: Colin Devlin plays the Hotel Café on Oct. 3. Tickets.