Do you feel like dancing in the heat today? Why I am a meteorologist all of a sudden? I digress, check out Big Wild X Phantogram “Too Loud” above.
Big Wild (aka Jackson Stell) is excited to announce the release of his bold and vibrant new album Wild Child, out August 29 via Giant Music. The album is Stell’s most dynamic and personal project to date. After 2022’s The Efferusphere, he found himself craving the curiosity and joy that first drew him to music. That search led him to reconnect with his “inner child”—a creative alter ego he calls Wild Child, sparking a sonic journey that’s equal parts playful, fearless, and emotionally resonant. The LP finds him trading electronic foundations for a richer palette that draws from indie-pop, psychedelic rock, and the colorful textures of ’60s music. These songs pulse with live instrumentation and embrace the kind of playful unpredictability that comes from creating without constraints.
Primarily written and produced by Stell with a close-knit group of collaborators, Wild Child explores themes of renewal, resilience, and connection to the earth that echo throughout the album’s lyrics and sonic textures.
Alongside today’s announcement, Big Wild has also revealed the funky and reflective new single, “Too Loud (feat Phantogram).” The song premiered via Flood Magazinewho say, “Big Wild has served as a form of musical escapism for the electronic project’s creator Jackson Stell for a decade now, but with his newly announced third LP Wild Child, the songwriter fully frees himself from his adult hangups. With a pivot to analog instruments and a dismissal of his ego, these 13 tracks signal a new chapter for the artist most easily discernible by the tonal shift from post-disco synths to indie-pop.” Stell told them:
“I first made the demo while I was making The Efferusphere. I can’t really pinpoint inspiration besides following what excites me. I try to trust that feeling and not overthink it. As simple as the demo sounded, there was something that consistently grabbed me when I listened back. It was sexy and ethereal. I was hung up on the second verse and the lyrics until I was connected with Sarah from Phantogram. Her voice was perfect and was the last big piece to the puzzle. She smashed it and my team and I were so stoked to work with her. I remember the head of the label, Nate Albert, telling me the song needed to be finished in a week to make it to vinyl. It’s such a cliche when finishing an album, but this truly was one of those songs submitted in the final hour in a mad hellish dash.”
On working with Phantogram, Stell further states, “Sarah’s voice was meant for this track, she really occupied the imaginary space of the track. Her tone and attitude was the perfect compliment to the production. Sexy and ethereal. I’m really excited for the day when we can play this one together on stage.”
Phantogram’s Sarah Barthel shares: “This song makes me want to roll the windows down and turn the volume all the way up. Working with Jackson has been such a blast and we can’t wait to dance with you to this soon.”
