TOTAL FUCKING DARKNESS – “DESOLATION BOYS”
INDEPENDENT
The greatest new group in the world is Total Fucking Darkness (Torquil Campbell, the endlessly effusive, increasingly bald member of Stars, and Stephen Ramsay, the gentle giant behind Montreal’s Young Galaxy), partnered with English studio genius and synthesist Tom McFall (whose engineering credits include the likes of REM, Bloc Party, Twin Shadow, Regina Spektor) release their latest single, “Desolation Boys” – a chaotic blend of plastic pop, nihilistic hand bag house, and razor-sharp absurdity.
Born out of a manic 72-hour writing spree with McFall flying in from London, “Desolation Boys” encapsulates the band’s volatile energy. It’s the sound of three middle-aged men with practically nothing left to lose trying (and failing) to drop the weight of the world from their shoulders – unruly, unpolished, unfuckable with, and, in their own words, “vaguely not boring.”
Written in the final hours of a grueling session, “Desolation Boys” showcases TFD’s menu to thrilling effect: Maximum Creative Violence Immediately. The song features a mix of savant-like lyrical spontaneity and a raw vocal take where Campbell can faintly be heard yelling, “go fuck yourself,” mid-chorus. Who is he instructing? Probably himself.
“Desolation Boys” reflects the band’s ongoing exploration of themes like the utter futility of existence, the exciting pointlessness of class war and the rejection of everything that doesn’t BANG.
Known for their incendiary performances and relentless experimentation, Total Fucking Darkness continue their 30-year crusade against introspection and tradition. Formed in the late ’90s, the trio aims to evoke the ecstasy and chaos of a post-industrial rave while embracing their uniquely Canadian misadventures. TFD’s music spans decades, combining early ’90s house influences with biting, modern electronic pop.
“Desolation Boys” marks a continuation of their exploration into nihilism through sonic disruption, building on the legacy of tracks like “Attack Decay Sustain Release” and “California Sun.”
Known for their incendiary performances and relentless experimentation, Total Fucking Darkness continue their 30-year crusade against introspection and tradition. Formed in the late ’90s, the trio aims to evoke the ecstasy and chaos of a post-industrial rave while embracing their uniquely Canadian misadventures. TFD’s music spans decades, combining early ’90s house influences with biting, modern electronic pop.
“Desolation Boys” marks a continuation of their exploration into nihilism through sonic disruption, building on the legacy of tracks like “Attack Decay Sustain Release” and “California Sun.”
ARTIST QUOTE
“Meaning is for suckers”. ~Torquil Campbell
“Tom came in and saved the day. We forced Torq to write this one against his will. He was in tears, but it’s our best track yet.” ~Stephen Ramsay
ᐧ
Total Fucking Darkness
[Single]
(Independent)
Release Date: January 30, 2025
Artist Links
SPILL VIDEO PREMIERE: FORMING – “OPERATOR”
SPILL MUSIC PREMIERE: FRANK VIELE – “PUTTING OUT FIRES”/”THE TROUBLE WITH DESIRE”
SPILL NEW MUSIC: JORDANA RELEASES STUNNING ORCHESTRA COLLABORATION OF “WE GET BY” | ‘LIVELY PREMONITION’ OUT NOW VIA GRAND JURY
SPILL NEW MUSIC: SHE WANTS REVENGE VOCALIST JUSTIN WARFIELD ANNOUNCES HIS FIRST SOLO PROJECT | HIGH-ENERGY SINGLE “ALL THE FUN (KISS, KISS, KISS)” OUT NOW
