Hollow Ground

Hollow Ground is the debut full-length album from Max Clarke, performing as Cut Worms, released in 2018 on Jagjaguwar. Following the buzz of his Alien Sunset EP, this record solidified Clarke's reputation as a master of mid-century pop pastiche with a contemporary indie-folk heart. Produced in part by Jonathan Rado (of Foxygen), the album leans heavily into analog recording techniques, utilizing tape saturation and vintage instrumentation to achieve its signature 'dusty' sound. Clarke famously plays most of the instruments himself, including the meticulous vocal layering that defines the project. Critically, the album was lauded for its songwriting craftsmanship, with many reviewers noting Clarke's ability to write 'instant classics' that feel familiar yet fresh. It stands as a pivotal moment in the late-2010s 'retro-pop' movement, eschewing irony in favor of genuine emotional resonance and technical precision in its recreation of 1960s sonic landscapes.