Slow Hollows Announces Their Return With Their Fourth Studio Album ‘Bullhead’

Austin Feinstein traces back his early musical influences and songwriting with their brand new release of their fourth studio album, Bullhead.

Los Angeles based singer and songwriter, Austin Feinstein of Slow Hollows returns with their brand new fourth studio album, Bullhead released on March 8, 2024 via Danger Collective Records. The album features 9 brand new songs along with featured singles such as, “Idle Hands”, “Old Yeller”, and “Soap” each giving the record a different point of view upon Feinstein’s yearning expression and inner emotional conflict. You can listen to the album here.

Slow Hollows made their debut in 2015 releasing their first record, Ateleophobia with notable tracks such as “Art School Kids” and “The Political Kids”. This was followed by their sophomore album Romantic in 2016 which propelled them into the eye of the public garnering an audience with fan favorite songs, “4141”, and “Spirit Week”. During this era, Feinstein collaborated with Frank Ocean on his album Blonde on the track, “Self Control”. Opting for a change and wanting to experience new musical elements, along came their third studio record Actors in 2019 which featured production from Tyler the Creator that gave the album a sonically dance and r&b style differing from their past releases. 

Subsequently, the band announced an amicable hiatus in 2020 but four short years later, Feinstein is finally working solo under the name of Slow Hollows with the help of some of his collaborators. Within the separation of the band during the short years, Feinstein allowed for the chance to rediscover his own passions and goals, he revealed that “Having some time away from the band made me realize what Slow Hollows sounded like and stood for. It’s hard to realize what you’re getting at when you’re doing it, so the time to myself made me understand what made it work then.” This time around it is apparent to mention the growth within the band and coming into terms of what truly lies ahead when it becomes everything that one desires without any outside pressure and having to impress others. 

During this brand new era cycle, Feinstein redirects his attention towards the early start of the band departing back from the layered electronic productions contributed from their previous record, Actors released in 2019 and reigniting back into the simplistic nature of slow indie rock. By reverting back to the early sounds of Slow Hollows and adding different sonic elements, listing inspirations such as Elliot Smith and Neil Young, remain true as their influence can be heard throughout their new record, Bullhead. 

Feinstein explains the meaning behind Bullhead, “My grandma calls stubborn people bullheaded and it always stuck with me: I really relate to that term,” which then turned into a concept album that utilizes a narrative of moments that undergo pessimistic behavior and straining tensions. Bullhead covers Feinstein’s stubbornness and underlying anxious habits that kept him in a restrictive mindset opting for a repetitive routine. By breaking through and understanding his emotions it eventually led to a cathartic outburst and began using that as fuel for his illustrative songwriting, Feinstein highlights his most deepest intimate thoughts and insecurities. Throughout the album, listeners can convey that a certain theme keeps recalling back during each track. It focuses on the lethargic sense of somber yet achy sentiments paired with backdrops of swaying guitars, mellow pianos, and violins.

Bullhead sonically acknowledges the early days of Slow Hollows yet expands on the idealistic nature of the process of built up emotions. The transparency and delicate lyrical songwriting from Feinstein produces a glass view window of his personal experiences. The album is introduced by its title track, “Bullhead” which encompasses the record on its own. The song illuminates a dedicated and loyalistic demeanor to an individual who is in need of assistance and it becomes Feinstein’s source of life that is not reciprocated, leaving him stranded but wanting to stay.

“Old Yeller” is the first single from the album that was released that is composed of melodious and unguarded lyrics with the chorus of the track, “When you borrow me, leave me clean. You can see I don’t know nothing about nothing. All remains to be seen. When you’re done with me, let me be, breathing dust on low. Feeling weak, you were older than me” represents the nature of being used yet looking for a silver outline. The torturous and indescribable feelings are expressed through the use of a narrative perspective of being consumed wholly into an unhealthy relationship. 

Furthemore on their track, “Idle Hands” takes on an interesting turn of events as it compiles heavily on the elements of grizzling guitars and drums with layered pianos. The first verse of the track displays a visual glimpse of Feinstein’s inner monologue as he recalls a moment where he “Met you in a humble glimpse, skinny ribs and bones. Felt it more when I was young, nothing seems too old, can’t recall the last attack. Trap it, not like that kind of love you keep from rats, a love that eats you whole” describing his unexisting love and enjoyment of life and locking yourself into a closed room where all of the pain is centered.

The closing track of the album, “A World Is Waiting” poses as a means of character development one experiences upon reflecting back on hardships with the ability to process unrequited emotions to understand that it does not serve a purpose to be constantly held down and powerless and finally have the push to change. However, the lessons learned within these situations contributed to the progress and growth of Feinstein in his own life. The first verse of the track details a mature change in perspective, “Asleep and stoned, flipped the mattress. A change in clothes, something’s missing. I guess I’ve grown, I’m hesitating. It’s time to go, a world is waiting, a world is waiting” after all of the turmoil and tribulations a glimmer of hope is seen opting for what waits ahead in the future. 

Bullhead by Slow Hollows is a record that is gracefully composed with the arrangements of strings and orchestra complimenting the vulnerability shown by Feinstein within his songwriting. The progression of Slow Hollows is pointing towards a direction that allows for creative expression while developing a connection with listeners due to the honestly raw lyrics.

With the release of their brand new record,“Bullhead”, Slow Hollows are heading out on their U.S tour with supporting acts P.H.F and ComputerWife. Be sure to get tickets here!