Now I sort of like Paul Morley, but if push came to shove, I think I like The Cure more. Seems like London four piece Desperate Journalist do as well, both my naming themselves after the band rounded on the said journo during a Peel Session for a less that favourable review, but also because they’ve spent the last year taking elements of various points in the bands history, the goth of Pornography and the dreamy pop of Head on the Door, along with a myriad of other things, to craft something that’s very much their own.
Their debut EP Christina found favour with the likes of Steve Lamacq and Fierce Panda founder Simon Williams, and propelled the band into support slots with the likes of Throwing Up, Hatcham Social and Six By Seven.
The follow up to that, Happening, is out now via Giant Haystacks Records. It begins with this chiming guitar line, before it kicks up in tempo and has this Siouxie & The Banshees feel about it, crashing in and out, but these spidery guitar lines and sloppy bassline a constant. Over the top Jo Bevan sweeps over the top, like Morrissey would in his prime, and suddenly there’s this sheet noise in reply. It’s quite stunning, and is accompanied by a typically understated video.
The band are planning a string of releases over the course of the year, and if they’re anything like Happening, it’s going to be a fruitful and enjoyable time.
LIVE
28 May – LONDON – Power Lunches
06 June – LONDON – Aces & Eights
20 June – LONDON – Camden Crawl
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