Norwich quartet Takeda return with the stunning, transportive new single ‘Reynardine’ and announce the upcoming debut album In Venus’ Train, due September 17th on Drongo Records.
Showcasing the bands stylistic blend of folk and rock, ‘Reynardine’ brings poetic storytelling over intricate instrumentation tinted with a gritty distortion that pulls the track to a more alternative rock space. Across the track, the beautifully executed guitar work moves above the driving drums, swelling ambiance and splashes of strings and keys to create a soundscape which is at once organic and rootsy, yet ethereal and otherworldly.
Topped with the commanding yet delicate and emotive lead vocal, thew track is wonderfully balanced; the what should be contrasting musical approaches instead create a soundscape which is nuanced, rich and beautifully cohesive. Blending the musicality of Ben Howard (especially given the use of effects on the acoustic guitar throughout), with the drive of Pearl Jam, and subtle echoes of Fleetwood Mac, ‘Reynardine’ highlights the band’s unique sonic direction. Produced by David Pye (Szun Waves, Trudy & the Romance, Faithless, Dido), the track slowly intensifies throughout before culminating in a dramatic, fuzz heavy climax.
Speaking about the track, Harrison says: “Reynardine is based on the English folk tale of the same name. Musically, this is Takeda’s DNA: folk songs and melodies tied together with heavy guitar parts, thumping rhythms and huge choruses. This song is about the hidden person within, who acts unseen and often undetected until it’s too late. The folk rock of Fairport Convention fused with the colossal scale of Sigur Ros.”
Takeda’s story is as compelling as their music. In Spring 2022, Josh Harrison escaped a cult in rural England and went on to form the band. The experience deeply informs their songwriting, which fuses fuzz-tinged acoustic guitars and soaring, fragile vocals to craft songs that are both melodic and emotionally intense. Harrison was soon joined by Charlie Wilson on drums and David Woodgett on bass, and together they developed a sound that far exceeded its parts—calling it “the loudest acoustic guitar on Earth.” Ollie Welch later joined for live performances, and the band will tour the UK in September 2025 in support of In Venus’ Train.
Across the upcoming album, In Venus’ Train, Takeda channel mystical folklore and biblical imagery into songs about obsession, love, and leaving behind a former life. Drawing equally from the British folk revival of Fairport Convention and the heavy, experimental sound of Tool, is a bold fusion of sensitivity and noise ultimately capturing something strikingly unique, and above all else, exciting.
Listen to the new single below:
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