Song of the Day: Desperate Journalist - Hollow

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Morning Show with John Richards, is "Hollow" by Desperate Journalist from their forthcoming album, Grow Up, due March 24th on Fierce Panda.

Desperate Journalist - Hollow (MP3)In a 2015 interview, Desperate Journalist frontwoman Jo Bevan described the band's musical process as one of deconstruction-- taking away the extraneous elements of a track to have it feel to the point and direct. In a sense, this approach can well describe Desperate Journalist's blend of post-punk. Structurally taut and musically expansive, the band's music can feel anthemic in scope, but retains a hard punk edge. This track in particular, "Hollow," widens Desperate Journalist's sound, bringing in additional layers of texture and guitar feedback. Bevan's voice remains strongly at the forefront of the track, her clear melody and Caz Hellbent's propellent drumming (that would not feel out of place on a Jesus Lizard LP) building to a sharp chorus. Bevan's voice never loses its clarity in spite of the swelling of the chorus's guitars, placing her amidst a churning, dynamic soundscape.

"Hollow" is the first single, and first track, from the band's forthcoming release. Grow Up is due March 24th on Fierce Panda. You can find out more about Desperate Journalist on their website and Facebook page, where you'll hear new songs when they're released and find upcoming live dates that are likely to follow Grow Up's release. Until then, here is the evocative video for "Hollow":