Song of the Day: DMA's - Timeless

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Midday Show with Cheryl Waters, is “Timeless” by DMA's from their 2016 album, Hills End, on Mom + Pop Music.

DMA's - Timeless (MP3)

Newtown, Australia band DMA's hadn't played a gig as DMA's when they signed their first label deal. But to say they had no live performance experience prior to the bands formation would be the understatement of the century. Bandmates Matt Mason and Johnny Took were in a psych project while vocalist Tommy O'Dell and Took played in a bluegrass group. Johnny was also one of the many faces in the punk-string seven-piece Little Bastard, which is especially surprising considering the trio's current brit-pop sound. But there are many reasons it would be wrong to simply label DMA's as a brit-pop band, even disregarding the fact that they hail from Australia. The trio, who gained global attention over the brilliant single "Delete" in 2014, certainly craft songs that hold their own against the best of the Gallagher brothers while sounding decidedly British in the process. But their sound offers the refined details of the three friend's previous musical endeavors through a more accessible and minimalistic sound rather than a watered down pop version of it. The fingerprints of the intricate sparseness of bluegrass, the stark bluntness of punk and the forever wandering build of psych can be found all over the groups debut album. On "Timeless," the first track of the album and KEXP's song of the day, jangling guitar and a stepping bass provide the backdrop for O'Dell's sirening vocals. The song tops an outstanding chorus with a breakdown featuring a spiraling guitar that cranks the underlying dark tone of the song to menacing new levels. Ending with a much more uplifting flanged guitar line, the song grows and moves throughout and never stays stagnant. It is a progression mirrored by DMA's, who continuously put out music that is certainly timeless.

The group came through the Northwest earlier this year and is currently touring Europe, but keep an eye on their website and Facebook page for possible future U.S. shows. In the meantime, check out the video for "Timeless" below: