How It Ends

How It Ends is the third studio album by Denver-based ensemble DeVotchKa and represents their critical and commercial breakthrough. Released in 2004, the album solidified their 'desert noir' sound - a sophisticated blend of Romani music, Greek bolero, Mariachi, and indie rock. The recording is defined by its lush, multi-instrumental textures, featuring prominent use of the theremin, accordion, and bouzouki. This specific album gained significant cultural traction when several tracks, most notably the title song, were featured in the 2006 film 'Little Miss Sunshine,' leading to a Grammy nomination for the soundtrack. Critics from AllMusic and the BBC praised the album for its emotional depth and the band's ability to fuse disparate cultural influences into a seamless, cinematic whole. It remains the definitive statement of their career, capturing a moment where their cabaret-punk roots evolved into high-art chamber folk.