Anika Announces New Album ‘Abyss’ and UK Tour

Annika Henderson, known professionally as Anika, has announced the release of her new album, Abyss, which will be available on April 4, 2024, through Sacred Bones Records. Alongside the album announcement, Anika has released its lead single, “Hearsay”, accompanied by a music video. A tour across the UK and Europe is also scheduled for the spring.

Title: Abyss
Artist: Anika
Release Date: 2025-04-04
Genres: Alternative Rock, Darkwave, Indie Rock, New Wave
Label: Sacred Bones
Description: Anika announces Abyss out April 4 via Sacred Bones Records featuring a heavier sound recorded live at Hansa Studios with lead single Hearsay available now.

Abyss was developed as a response to frustration, anger, and confusion regarding contemporary global events. The ten-track album presents a heavier sound than Anika’s previous work, incorporating a strong rhythm section and dominant guitar arrangements. The album was recorded live to tape at Hansa Studios in Berlin, a location historically associated with artists such as David Bowie and Depeche Mode.

Anika wrote the songs before working with Martin Thulin of Exploded View to refine the arrangements. Additional contributions came from Andrea Belfi on drums, Tomas Nochteff (Mueran Humanos) on bass, and Lawrence Goodwin (The Pleasure Majenta) on guitar. Nanni Johansson and Frida Claeson Johansson handled studio engineering. Anika emphasized the importance of minimal overdubs, preferring to preserve the immediacy and rawness of the recording process.

The track “Hearsay” addresses media manipulation and societal division. The lyrics critique the influence of media moguls and the exploitation of public discourse. Anika described the song as inspired by the power dynamics of media, comparing them to “parasites feeding off the blood of the public.” She noted that PJ Harvey influenced the song’s composition.

The accompanying music video was directed by Laura Martinova, who referenced vampire aesthetics to align with the album’s themes. Martinova collaborated with contemporary dancers and used raw camera techniques to emphasize a dark, dynamic atmosphere. The video also featured Zeynep Schilling’s creative direction and styling by Danny Muster.

Anika cited 1990s grunge, particularly Hole’s Celebrity Skin, as an inspiration for the album’s rebellious tone. She also referenced influences ranging from Patti Smith to Genesis P-Orridge. The album was crafted with the intention of engaging listeners on a physical level, shifting focus away from analytical thought and toward visceral experience.

Lyrically, Abyss explores themes such as political divisions, censorship, and personal struggles. “One Way Ticket” comments on the resurgence of far-right ideologies, while “Oxygen” examines restrictions on personal freedoms. The closing track, “Buttercups,” contrasts with the rest of the album by adopting a slower, melancholic tone, though its meaning remains open to interpretation.

Anika will perform across Europe and the UK in support of Abyss. The tour includes stops in Berlin, London, Bristol, Manchester, Leeds, Belfast, Dublin, Brighton, Paris, and Zurich, among other cities.

Annika Henderson is a British-born, Berlin-based musician, journalist, and poet. Before her career in music, she worked as a political journalist. In 2010, she released her self-titled debut album, produced by Geoff Barrow of Portishead. In addition to her solo work, Anika is the lead vocalist of Exploded View, a band that blends elements of post-punk, experimental rock, and electronic music. Her music often incorporates minimalist arrangements, spoken-word vocals, and politically charged themes.

Abyss Tracklist

1. Hearsay
2. Abyss
3. Honey
4. Walk Away
5. Into The Fire
6. Oxygen
7. Out Of The Shadows
8. One Way Ticket
9. Last Song
10. Buttercups

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