Henry’s five-track collection of New Wave-inspired alt-pop tracks examines love and desire from the perspective of classic horror characters. Throughout The Horror! The Horror!, Henry examines the humanity of monsters and the monstrosity of humans atop pulsing layers of cold electronic production that call to mind both John Carpenter’s signature synth scores and modern darkwave artists like Cold Cave in equal measure.

The 10-song effort includes cover tracks of songs by Kate Bush, Depeche Mode and Royal Blood, along with one original, “Valentine,” which the singer wrote just in time for the upcoming holiday. While Undercover hits Spotify and Apple Music starting Friday, the Big Takeover is bringing you a preview of the stream today.

The groovy Australian pop duo’s new effort comprises five tracks of soulful and rich guitar-driven music that is a testament to the creative dynamic between bandmates Dusty Lee Stephensen, Matt Birkin and their cast of long-term collaborators and live band.

Chicago’s the Feeders released their first LP, Kerchoo, in November on Eccentric Pop Records. Not too long after, the album made the cut on Jack Rabid’s list of best records of 2021. Today, the Feeders are proud to share the video behind the first single from the record, for “I’m a Rat.”

An/Animal presents its audience with four songs strung into one narrative, made complete by the eerie visuals of its accompanying short film. The music features imaginative arrangements, ethereal to explosive dynamics, primal urgency, deceptively catchy hooks, and elements from gospel, indie, rock, prog, country, ambient and, as always, an infectious pop sensibility.

Having been written in May 2020, lyrically, “Have I Gone Too Far” attempts to capture the day-to day-isolation, monotony and depression that went along with quarantining during the early months of the pandemic

The music-powered spoken word offering is a preview to what’s in store on the spring release of the experimental duo’s sophomore album, Ghosts Before Breakfast.

Titled “Permanently Closed,” the video finds the Minneapolis-based sludgegaze band performing tracks from their two releases in an empty bar — a fitting backdrop for the “release show” of Sorrowful Cries, which was written and recorded in quarantine. 

Hailing from Atlanta, Rae started playing in music at a mere 8 years old. She left behind that love to move on to a beauty career until the tragedy of the global pandemic struck — and, as Rae recently told the Big Takeover, everyone returned to be with what we value most.

The songwriter and musician uses her knowledge gained from years spent DJ’ing to create captivating beats and taps into her worldly travels — she’s lived in Germany, the U.S. and England — to write relatable lyrics. The Big Takeover is pleased to host the premiere of “Reasons,” the newest single from the electronic pop phenom.

On April 22, the world will witness the latest chapter in the burgeoning Toronto artist’s career, in the form of her new album, Stolen Time. Lucky for readers whose interest is already piqued, the Big Takeover is pleased to unveil the first single from the new album, as well as its accompanying video, today.

Come February 11, Heatley’s admirers will bear witness to his next foray into music — and first official solo studio record — when Dream Puppy Records releases Life Our Own Way on all streaming and digital platforms. Today, the Big Takeover unveils the time-intensive video that Heatley created for the title track.

Today, The Big Takeover exclusively premieres the newest video from Boston’s power-guitar/synth-pop quartet, who started working together in late 2018. The clip was filmed just outside Boston at The Sanctuary, an old church converted into a music performance space.

Magic Shoppe songs often feature warm and fuzzy tonality that can wash out into textured soundscapes — or crash into a mind-melting maelstrom.
 Big Takeover is pleased to host the video for the brand-new track, which just hit streaming services today.

The Norwegian indie-rockers draw a far-reaching fanbase that includes aging parents longing for the sweet nostalgia of their glory days, as well as young hipsters who have embraced the ’90s-era aesthetics and charm of melodic guitars and catchy sing-alongs.

Big Takeover is psyched to premiere the video for “Chant,” a piece created by interdisciplinary artist and designer Deborah Johnson for NOW Ensemble, a project that makes chamber music for the 21st century.

My best bets on another great year for music, old and new, and a most such year once again. Hope this little list inspires you to find, or give a second look to, a few cool releases you might miss otherwise that you end up truly loving—especially in the second straight year where so many musicians overcame unprecedented challenges to get us this music. And my gratitude to the musicians and labels that overcame that and gave us this 2021 music when we had so much less of the live variety! Ta!

Good news! Big Takeover Issue #89 Fall 2021 with The Chills on the cover is now out! It should be arriving in stores now or may have just hit the shelves (please ask for it by name!), and subscriber copies have been mailed and will arrive shortly! And if you haven’t already, you can subscribe for yourself and/or your friends as a gift, or send away for our juicy back issues! (All 88 are get-able!) All straight from our secure Shopify online store!

Good news! Big Takeover Issue #89 Fall 2021 with The Chills on the cover is now out! It should be arriving in stores now or imminently (please ask for it by name!), and subscriber copies have been mailed and will arrive shortly! And for the next two weeks, if you haven’t already, you can subscribe for yourself and/or your friends as a holiday gift for 10% off! Ho Ho Ho! Or take 20% any back issues—minimum three, and yes, you can include the new #89 in that!––that you might want to see yourself or your friends at Xmas/other holiday-time! Ho Ho Ho again!

Akron, Ohio-based indie rock/pop band deliver a dynamic and catch anthem about mixed signals, and took part in a Q&A interview.

Old-school/new-school hybrid jazz musician Eric Wurzelbacher and his band display their top chops on an engaging LP; with heartfelt and insightful Q&A interview.

Hilarie Sidney (co-founder of Elephant 6; member of The Apples In Stereo, Neutral Milk Hotel, and Olivia Tremor Control) and company release an upbeat and tuneful track from their upcoming LP as The High Water Marks.

Hybrid outfit Black Rose Burning (post-punk, Gothic rock/pop, New Wave), led by George Grant, unveil their compelling new album that was mastered by Jason Corbett (ACTORS).

A bunch of cool and intriguing artists/bands cap off the year with new music, including premieres from Irish post-punker Ava Vox and darkwave outfit VONAMOR.

Josh Caterer, frontman of acclaimed band Smoking Popes, releases his spin on an Etta James classic in the live setting of SPACE in Chicago.

Renowned musician Anton Barbeau unveils an atmospheric and hypnotic music video for an enchanting track from his latest album.

Madison, Wisconsin-located grunge band Bashford channel Nirvana’s angst and catharsis with punk-fueled aggression on their potent fifth record.

Baltimore-located rock duo Underlined Passages unveil a bodacious ’80s-themed performance video for a dreamy track off their upcoming LP.

AMMO’s aesthetic can be described as otherworldly ethereal shoegaze, driven by the pulse of primordial percussive rhythms that provide a backdrop for haunting vocals and lush, atmospheric guitar lines.

It is also not every day that two iconoclastic artists team up with a world-class music video director, so today we explore the outcome of that audio/visual relationship.

Seattle-located rock ‘n’ roll band The Civilians collaborate with Elvis Costello’s longtime keyboardist Steve Nieve on a heartfelt track and performance video.

Rock band DigDog meld prog- and classic rock on an engaging album that speaks to determination and positivity in a time of turmoil.

Chicago-located Americana-inspired rock ‘n’ roll band St. Marlboro release their heartfelt and engaging second album via Dropped Beauty Recordings.

Legendary producer (Galaxie 500, Low, Ween) and artist (Bongwater) Kramer returns with his first solo album in two decades via his label Shimmy-Disc.

L.A. shoegaze/space rock band Split Moon releases the video for their new single “Drifting Through” this Friday.

London-based singer-songwriter Simon Bromide (AKA Simon Berridge) joins up with the Easycome Choir on a relaxed and flowing tune/music video.

UK indie retro-pop outfit Modesty Blaise bring the good cheer on a buoyant performance music video for a holiday-themed track.

Veteran retro indie pop/rock band the black watch, led by John Andrew Fredrick, unveils a beguiling, nature-steeped music video for a reflective track.

Oakland, CA-based retro-pop/rock outfit The Bye Bye Blackbirds channel vintage British vibes on a mellow to vibrant new tune and nostalgic music video.

Good news! Big Takeover Issue #89 Fall 2021 with The Chills on the cover has nearly been completed and will be out shortly! But hurry to order—this issue can be hard to find in stores in this COVID era, and pre-orders and subscriptions are best/crucial!

And it’s just in time for the perfect Christmas, Chanukah, other holidays, birthday, or other gift, even to yourself: Big Takeover Magazine subscriptions and back issues (like the big enchilada, complete set 1980-2021)! Plus Children’s sizes for our T-Shirts (to go with several Men’s and Women’s sizes) in three colors, as well as our Big Takeover Beer Cozies and (signed if you like) Color 30th Anniversary Festival Posters, or our CDs!

Swedish-Australian collective Tiny Fighter are back with the first taster of their upcoming album via Bay Terrace Records.

Brighton, UK-located indietronic / dreampop project Collect Call (AKA multi-instrumentalist/producer Joseph Thorpe) unveils a surreal music video.

German indie rock/dreampop project Fir Cone Children (Alexander Donat of Vlimmer) unveils a dreamily melancholic tune from his upcoming LP.

New Jersey-based rock ‘n’ roll outfit Vakili Band, led by Lily Vakili, delivers a heartfelt and hopeful rally cry for everyone who dreams of a better world.

Toronto-located avant-garde artist Wrené unveils her mysterious and ethereal, noir and noisy EP that delves into mental health issues.

A lucid, proactive nostalgia radiates from Painted Friends’ music and accompanying visuals for a new single about immortal jellyfish.

Chris Jackson (Lookwell), recording as Citified, delivers a scintillating slice of indie rock nostalgia on a warm single via Fort Lowell Records.

Veteran musicians (David J of Bauhaus and Love and Rockets, Victor DeLorenzo of Violent Femmes, and multi-instrumentalist Darwin Meiners unite on new project.

Brooklyn-area outfit Travis Duo (core of veteran musicians Jarvis Earnshaw and Trevor Dunn) release a trippy color-contrast music video.

The Dublin-based tour de force’s new album was just released on CD and limited-edition cassette via Ireland’s FIFA Records.