With ‘Rainbow Wheel of Death’, American country-songwriter Dougie Poole created a classic sounding record for a modern world. He’s known as the ‘patron saint of the millenial malaise’, blessed with a sardonic sense of humour and a keen eye for the tragedy of mankind in late stage capitalism. Combine those with his deep voice, and you get music that floats between melancholy and jest. The title of his latest record refers to the icon that appears when your computer starts to freeze up. That’s because Dougie managed to get through COVID-times by freelancing as a computer programmer – the exact kind of ‘dead-end job’ he mentions in his lyrics.
‘The Rainbow Wheel of Death’ sees Dougie Poole focus on universal themes like mortality, love and the unstoppable progress of time. His indie/country hybrid is full of warmth, blending acoustic guitars and country twang with old-school synths and drum machines. His sharp songs are the work of a refreshing songwriter with his eye firmly on the zeitgeist. The Fader, Stereogum, Pitchfork, Aquarium Drunkard, Brooklyn Vegan and The Line of Best Fit have all fallen for him, now it’s your turn. Breaking Waves!
