Jo Bevan & Co share second single from new album - ‘Gilding The Lily’ set for release on 20 November 2026 via Fierce Panda - New single ‘20th Century Women’ out now - On tour in March 2027In August, DESPERATE JOURNALIST returned with the single ‘Terrible Years’, and now offer another preview of their forthcoming album ‘Gilding The Lily’ with ‘20th Century Women’, due for release on 20 November via Fierce Panda.
On their sixth studio album in just eleven years, DESPERATE JOURNALIST remain true to their established blend of driving guitars, compelling melodies and sharply observed lyrics. The band, comprising Jo Bevan, Rob Hardy, Simon Drowner and Caz Helbert, once again find themselves at the height of their creative powers.
Far from easing off the accelerator, DESPERATE JOURNALIST are in fiercely creative form on ‘Gilding The Lily’, continuing their fizzing combination of powerful guitar riffs and dark lyrics. It is exactly what you would expect from a band whose rapid rise in credibility has resulted in a stack of enthusiastic press coverage and a string of appearances alongside acts including SUEDE, THE CHAMELEONS, THE WEDDING PRESENT and SLOW READERS CLUB, as well as their Fierce Panda label-mates ASH and RIALTO.
In March 2027, DESPERATE JOURNALIST will play four shows in Germany:
24 March 2027 - Siegen, Vortex Surfer
25 March 2027 - Schorndorf, Club Manufaktur
27 March 2027 - Berlin, Schokoladen
28 March 2027 - Hamburg, Logo
Listen to the new single ‘20th Century Women’ here:
Vocalist and lyricist Jo Bevan explains how ‘20th Century Women’ came together: “The song basically started with a riff and developed over time into quite an epic, grungy piece. The middle eight came from something I happened to hear when Rob was practising in the next room. I immediately went in and said that we absolutely had to use it because it sounded so beautiful. In the end, it found its place in this song.
Lyrically, the song is a tribute to the women in my family, particularly my maternal grandmother. Sometimes I feel like she haunts me in a benevolent way when I recognise certain traits that we share. The song was meant to be both anthemic and slightly eerie. I really enjoyed experimenting with a more broken-up, almost hymn-like vocal melody for the verses, and I love how big and euphoric the middle eight became.”
Bevan continues: “The ascending vocal line at the end of this section was inspired by my attending a concert by the Bulgarian State Television Female Vocal Choir. They use similar harmonic transitions, and given the subject matter of the song, that reference felt very fitting. The title comes from Mike Mills’ 2016 film ‘20th Century Women’, which I absolutely love. It is a beautiful, dreamlike film that tells a story about family and time with great tenderness, and it moves me every time.”
Tracklist
01. Empire
02. Melancholia
03. Terrible Years
04. Landfill
05. Wings
06. 20th Century Women
07. Serious, Unimportant
08. Passage
09. Ink
10. Dust
11. Always
12. White Enamel
Source: Press Release
