Today's Song of the Day, as chosen by John Richards, host of The Morning Show on KEXP, is "Doomscrollers" by Quasi, from the 2023 album Breaking the Balls of History on Sub Pop.
"Doomscrollers" is a new single from the indie rock duo Quasi, the project of former partners Sam Coomes and Janet Weiss, off their upcoming album Breaking The Balls Of History which is set to be released in February and is their first full-length in a decade. The song is a commentary on the modern phenomenon of doomscrolling, where people compulsively consume negative news and social media, leading to feelings of anxiety and despair. The lyrics of the song also touch on themes of addiction and isolation, painting a bleak yet relatable portrait of the 21st century.
The song opens with a punchy guitar riff, and Coomes's lyrics paint a picture of the current state of society, of people sleeping in their cars, teenage TikTok stars, and everyone baking bread, doomscrolling, and going out of their heads. Weiss, famed former Sleater-Kinney drummer, adds an upbeat, energetic feel to the song that belies the dark lyricism. The lyrics of the song are relatable and dig right into the anxieties of our divisive, COVID-contorted culture.
The music video for the song is directed by B.A. Miale and is visually striking, taking Weiss and Coomes into psychedelic territory, facing death, the apocalypse, pies, penguins, and more. Watch the video below.
