Seven Days: Vermont's Independent Voice

Darwin Rebuffed

After making a name for himself internationally as the front man and primary creative force behind Australian reggae oufit the Beautiful Girls, Mat McHugh decided he needed to slow things down. The result is Devolution, the songwriter’s debut solo record. Stripped down and intimate, the album marks an artistic turning point for McHugh, as he favors stark emotional vulnerability over the admittedly clever musical high jinks that defined his early career. This Sunday, September 4, McHugh headlines the Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, with support from local songwriters Zack duPont and Alex P.