Mike Mills Forms Supergroup Howl Owl Howl for New Single.

2 days ago7 min read

In a move that feels less like a corporate side project and more like the opening chords of a long-awaited encore, R. E.M. bassist Mike Mills has stepped back into the spotlight, not with a solo endeavor, but by forming a potent new supergroup, Howl Owl Howl, with Hootie & the Blowfish frontman Darius Rucker and Black Crowes drummer Steve Gorman.Their debut single, a track that immediately establishes a distinct sonic identity, intriguingly orbits the bizarre and fragrant universe of celebrity-endorsed perfumes, specifically one with a name that rings with a certain pop-cultural familiarity. This isn't merely a new song; it's a convergence of three distinct, deeply rooted musical lineages.Mills, the architect of some of alternative rock's most melodic and intellectually resonant basslines, brings a certain jangly, college-radio credibility that defined an era. Rucker, whose voice has journeyed from the earnest, beer-soaked anthems of 90s pop-rock to the hallowed halls of country music stardom, contributes a soulful, weathered warmth that can convey both heartbreak and celebration in a single phrase.And anchoring it all is Gorman, whose work with The Black Crowes provided the swaggering, blues-drenched backbeat for the 1990s rock revival, a pocket of groove that feels both timeless and urgently present. The very formation of Howl Owl Howl speaks to a fascinating trend in the modern music industry, where legacy artists, unshackled from the demands of their primary bands and major label expectations, are collaborating with the creative freedom of jazz session players in a digital age.They are building new projects not out of necessity, but out of a pure, undiluted passion for the craft, a desire to explore sonic territories that their main acts might never tread. The choice of subject matter for their first collective statement is a masterstroke of wry, observational lyricism.To write a song about a pop star's fragrance is to comment on the very nature of celebrity itself in the 21st century—the commodification of persona, the transformation of art into aroma, the way a brand can become as ubiquitous as a hit single. It invites listeners to ponder which iconic figure's scent is being evoked; is it the sweet, candy-like aura of a Taylor Swift, the bold, unapologetic fragrance of a Rihanna, or something entirely more enigmatic? This thematic choice positions Howl Owl Howl not as a nostalgia act, but as a band keenly aware of the present cultural moment, using the lens of their seasoned experience to examine its peculiarities.The potential sound, as one might extrapolate from the members' pedigrees, promises a rich tapestry: imagine the melodic sophistication of R. E.M. intertwining with the accessible, heartland hooks of Hootie & the Blowfish, all driven by the raw, unvarnished rock and roll rhythm section that Gorman perfected.It's a recipe for music that is both smart and immediately satisfying, built on a foundation of impeccable songcraft rather than fleeting production trends. For fans, this is more than a curiosity; it's an event.It raises compelling questions about the future. Is this a one-off single, a delightful artifact from a fun studio session? Or is it the first track from a full-length album, signaling a more sustained collaboration? Will they tour, bringing this unique alchemy to the stage? The existence of Howl Owl Howl challenges the conventional narrative of rock veterans fading into legacy tours and greatest-hits packages.Instead, it suggests a new chapter, one where the lines between genres blur and the shared language of great songwriting creates unexpected and thrilling new dialects. In an era of algorithmically generated playlists and disposable viral hits, the emergence of a supergroup with this much raw talent and historical weight feels like a reaffirmation of the album as an art form, the band as a creative unit, and the song as a vessel for wit, melody, and something genuinely substantive.

#featured

#R.E.M.

#Mike Mills

#Darius Rucker

#Steve Gorman

#Howl Owl Howl

#Ariana Grande

#My Cologne

#supergroup

#fragrance

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