Today, Elfman has also debuted a new music video for the reimagined single of ‘True’. Directed by Aron Johnson, who contributed visual effects to the Sarah Sitkin-directed music video for the album version of ‘True’, the piece features warped imagery and retro VHS aesthetics that capture the song’s intensity. Combining segments of Sitkin’s archived footage along with brand new 3D modelling, the visual serves as a remix in itself of the original music video, reinterpreted through the eyes of Aron.
“The best representation of himself he’s ever created in his half-century career” – SPIN
“Expertly conceived, meshing sawing classical strings, gutsy rock, electronics and enough energy to power a small city” – American Songwriter
“A sonic howl — part glam rock, part orchestral, part punk, with driving, industrial songs that are liable to disintegrate or tear off into a different direction” – Associated Press
“9 out of 10…A whirlwind of unbounded creativity as only Elfman could envision and produce” – Metal Injection
The songs on ‘Big Mess’ combine both harmonically complex arrangements and simple high energy driving music with biting, acerbic wit as they reckon with the chaos and confusion of the modern world. And while the anger, frustration, and isolation of it all is palpable in his delivery, ‘Big Mess’ is about more than simply blowing off steam. In making the space to truly sit with his emotions and write without limitations, Elfman achieved a kind of artistic liberation on the record that had been eluding him for decades, rediscovering his voice and reinventing himself all at once in the process.
These feelings of anger, angst, and frustration that permeate ‘Big Mess’ are explored in the album’s artwork and music videos as well, which push the boundaries between art and technology and each feature Danny in distinct ways. For the cover artwork, Elfman was 3D scanned and transformed into a grotesque-looking digital sculpture by Sarah Sitkin. Using CGI, 3D technology, motion capture and artificial intelligence, each music video was uniquely made and is inextricable from the songs that inspired them. Led overall by Elfman’s creative director Berit Gwendolyn Gilma, each of the video’s directors – Aron Johnson (“Happy”), Jesse Kanda (“Sorry”), Sven Gutjahr (“Love In The Time of Covid”), Petros Papahadjopoulos (“Kick Me”), Sarah Sitkin (“True”), Sam & Andy Rolfes (“Insects”) – have created individual statements that shape a diverse but cohesive whole.
‘Big Mess’ is out now via ANTI- / Epitaph Records and is available on all digital streaming platforms here.
