R.E.M.'s Mike Mills Pokes Fun at Ariana Grande's Perfume with Supergroup Single 'My Cologne'
In a lighthearted jab, R.E.M. bassist Mike Mills says he wants to "smell like Ariana Grande" on the debut single from his new supergroup Howl Owl Howl, titled "My Cologne." The song is a cheeky response to Grande's fragrance brand, which shares a name with his band and that of the popular sleep cycle stage.
The joke begins when Mills notes that Grande released a record called "R.E.M." - although it was actually a single from her album "Sweetener" titled "No Tears Left to Cry". Mills then mentions Grande's perfume line, R.E.M., which features containers with cassette designs and labels. The final straw came when Mills discovered one of the cassettes bore his band's name. In response, he said it was time to have some fun.
The song's chorus, "I want to smell like Ariana Grande, and I think she wants you to smell like me," pokes fun at the idea of fragrance brands trying to evoke a particular image or scent. Mills clarifies that his intention is not to be sarcastic but rather to playfully lean into the joke.
The supergroup Howl Owl Howl features Hootie and the Blowfish's Darius Rucker and The Black Crowes' Steve Gorman alongside Mike Mills. The band was born from a deep-seated friendship and a desire for collaboration, with their music fusing roots rock with an open-minded after-native flair. Their debut single "My Cologne" marks 30 years in the making and promises to deliver a fluid, feel-oriented rhythm section paired with the iconic vocal rasp of Darius Rucker.
With their first batch of music finally released, Howl Owl Howl is now gearing up for a tour starting on November 3, accompanied by an album that's rumored not to be about any other pop star fragrance brands.
In a lighthearted jab, R.E.M. bassist Mike Mills says he wants to "smell like Ariana Grande" on the debut single from his new supergroup Howl Owl Howl, titled "My Cologne." The song is a cheeky response to Grande's fragrance brand, which shares a name with his band and that of the popular sleep cycle stage.
The joke begins when Mills notes that Grande released a record called "R.E.M." - although it was actually a single from her album "Sweetener" titled "No Tears Left to Cry". Mills then mentions Grande's perfume line, R.E.M., which features containers with cassette designs and labels. The final straw came when Mills discovered one of the cassettes bore his band's name. In response, he said it was time to have some fun.
The song's chorus, "I want to smell like Ariana Grande, and I think she wants you to smell like me," pokes fun at the idea of fragrance brands trying to evoke a particular image or scent. Mills clarifies that his intention is not to be sarcastic but rather to playfully lean into the joke.
The supergroup Howl Owl Howl features Hootie and the Blowfish's Darius Rucker and The Black Crowes' Steve Gorman alongside Mike Mills. The band was born from a deep-seated friendship and a desire for collaboration, with their music fusing roots rock with an open-minded after-native flair. Their debut single "My Cologne" marks 30 years in the making and promises to deliver a fluid, feel-oriented rhythm section paired with the iconic vocal rasp of Darius Rucker.
With their first batch of music finally released, Howl Owl Howl is now gearing up for a tour starting on November 3, accompanied by an album that's rumored not to be about any other pop star fragrance brands.
The way he pokes fun at Ariana Grande's perfume brand is just TOO FUNNY! 
I love how lighthearted and playful the song is, it's like he's saying "hey, we know you're trying to be R.E.M." 
And can we talk about Darius Rucker's vocals? 
The fact that this supergroup was 30 years in the making is just wild! 
I'm def adding their debut single to my playlist ASAP and I hope it's part of their upcoming tour - get ready for a rootsy, feel-good rock fest! 
and see them live on tour 
. Darius Rucker's vocals are gonna be amazing, I just know it! 
so Ariana Grande thinks she can just release a perfume line and start using R.E.M.'s name? 
like, what's next? Will she start calling herself the "Queen of Athens" now that she's got a few albums under her belt? 
.
And honestly, R.E.M.'s Mike Mills is the perfect guy for the job - he's been sleeping on this one for decades and now he's finally ready to unleash his inner sarcastic snark 
My Cologne is basically a love letter to Grande's ego (in a non-toxic way, obvi) and I am HERE. FOR. IT 
I think this whole thing is like, a reminder that life's too short to take ourselves seriously all the time, you know? Mike Mills just poking fun at Ariana Grande's perfume line and it's actually kinda sweet? Like, who hasn't had an awkward moment where they felt like someone was copying them or not getting them right? But instead of getting salty, he just laughed it off and went for a laugh. That's the thing about friendships and creative endeavors - they're all about embracing the messiness and imperfections, and finding joy in the unexpected moments. And let's be real, who doesn't want to "smell like Ariana Grande"? 
i'm definitely gonna give "My Cologne" a listen now, gotta see what the rest of Howl Owl Howl's music sounds like 
and it sounds like their energy is still infectious... might have to check out their tour tho, been too long since i've seen Darius Rucker live 
i mean, using Ariana Grande's perfume as a punchline in your song is lowkey genius 
i mean Mike Mills is just joking around, but honestly who wouldn't want to smell like Ariana Grande all day? 
and that Howl Owl Howl supergroup sounds so fire 
anyway, I love that Howl Owl Howl is bringing back the roots rock vibe with Darius Rucker on vocals 
i mean i know some people might say they're too sweet but honestly who cares when everything else is so good? anyway back to r.e.m.'s mick mills being hilarious as always lol what's up with all these perfume names being similar to band names tho it's like they're just trying to get famous or something 
I'm intrigued by the whole collaboration between Howl Owl Howl - it sounds like a super cool fusion of roots rock and something fresh. I've been keeping up with their discography for years, so 30 years in the making just takes it to another level! 
The tour dates are out already? That's awesome news! Can't wait to see how this supergroup brings their unique sound to the stage 
. I'd rather listen to some roots rock and enjoy the music than be distracted by the smells