Danny Elfman has announced Bigger. Messier., a genre-defying album of remixed and reinvented versions of songs from his critically acclaimed 2021 album Big Mess. Along with this exciting news, Elfman has also released a new version of “Kick Me” reimagined by punk superstar Iggy Pop. Pop’s interpretation is a frenzied satire on fame, riches, and popularity, laced with his unique conversational spirit and musical contributions from his longtime collaborator Leron Thomas.
“At the onset of the Bigger. Messier. I asked the same thing of every artist: “express me through your own eyes.” Not only was I surprised at the artists that wanted to participate, but completely blown away by what everyone contributed,” said Elfman. “There’s a tremendous amount of diversity represented throughout, and I couldn’t be more excited to announce the record with Iggy’s version of “Kick Me,” which not only serves as a reinvention of the song vocally but instrumentally as well. This record became such an enjoyment of experimentation and relinquishing control of my own work in a way that I’ve never done before.”
Elfman asked a number of artists he admires to participate to Bigger. Messier with the support of his partners Stu Brooks and Berit Gwendolyn Gilma. Using his original melodies as canvases, each artist was allowed full rein to explore in their own individual voice, resulting in a completely unique selection of songs spanning decades and genres. Stu Brooks and Elfman’s longtime manager Laura Engel executive produced the album.
The 21- track project with two bonus tracks brings new life and light to Big Mess and features collaborations and guest vocals from an array of amazing artists including Trent Reznor, Iggy Pop, HEALTH, Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith, Zach Hill of Death Grips, Xiu Xiu, Squarepusher, Ghostemane and so many more amazing artists. This is the first time Elfman has ever released a remix collection of his work of this magnitude.
Bigger. Messier. sees Elfman delivering the unthinkable yet again and expanding on a tremendous year that has already proven to be a demonstration of his remarkable range as a musician, having designed and implemented one of music’s most productive and diversified careers. With a tracklist that jumps between innovative electronic music, steamrolling industrial rock, dark wave pop, and far beyond, the album features a radically wide spectrum of styles.
Available in vinyl, CD and digital formats, with two exclusive bonus tracks featured on the digital edition, Bigger. Messier. will officially be released on August 12th, 2022 via ANTI-/Epitaph Records. Pre-order the album now here.
Bigger. Messier. Tracklist
1. We Belong (Squarepusher Remix)
2. Happy (LITTLE SNAKE DYING IN THE CLUB EDITION)
3. Happy ((33EMYBW Remix)
4. Sorry (Kid606 Remix)
5. We Belong (Rafiq Bhatia Remix)
6. Kick Me (Zach Hill Remix)
7. Insects (Machine Girl Insecticidal Tendencies Remix)
8. Serious Ground (Xiu Xiu Remix)
9. Cruel Compensation (The Locust Remix)
10. Everybody Loves You (Boris Remix)
11. True (feat. Trent Reznor)
12. In Time (feat. Blixa Bargeld)
13. In Time (Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith Remix)
14. Native Intelligence (feat. Trent Reznor)
15. Kick Me (feat. Iggy Pop)
16. Kick Me (feat. Fever333)
17. In Time (HEALTH Remix)
18. Native Intelligence (feat. Trent Reznor – Ghostemane Natural Selection Remix)
19. Happy (Boy Harsher Remix)
20. True (feat. Trent Reznor – Stu Brooks Remix)
21. Happy (LITTLE SNAKE LUNAR CLIMAX EDITION)
22. Serious Dub (Scientist Remix) (Digital Bonus Track)
23. Happy (A. Fruit Remix) (Digital Bonus Track)