It’s a big day for Neon Bloom fans – the Toronto alt-rock quartet’s debut album Begin Here is officially out today! The band has been building up excitement all summer, dropping the electrifying single “Take” along with an official music video three weeks ago. The response has been nothing short of spectacular: from fans singing along to “Take” at shows, to critics across the music world heaping praise on Neon Bloom’s unique sound. And if you haven’t seen the “Take” video yet, check it out below – it’s a visual feast that perfectly matches the song’s energy and emotion.
Press Highlights
Neon Bloom’s new music is turning heads everywhere. Here’s a roundup of just some of the glowing press coverage and high praise Begin Here and “Take” have earned in 2025:
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Punknews.org: The influential punk/alt-rock outlet broke the news that Neon Bloom’s debut full-length Begin Here would arrive on August 15, noting the record’s eight-track lineup (including fan-favorite singles like “Like a Lover,” “Lovers Dance,” and “One Last Time”) and the release of the “Take” music video ahead of the album . It’s not every day that a debut album lands on Punknews’ radar – a great sign of the buzz surrounding Begin Here.
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The Spill Magazine: Canada’s indie music magazine hosted an exclusive premiere of “Take”, calling it an “emotionally charged” new single and one of Neon Bloom’s most vulnerable and personal songs . Spill’s feature highlighted the powerful real-life story behind “Take” – written a decade ago during a health scare and brought to life by vocalist Jen Simpson in her directorial debut for the video . The magazine praised the track’s raw, cathartic sound and the video’s portrayal of “survival and resilience”, showing that Neon Bloom isn’t afraid to bare their souls in their art .
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Rockum (Rock & Metal Webzine): In a news feature by editor Gino Alache, Rockum hailed Neon Bloom as “one of the most electrifying live acts in Toronto,” applauding their genre-blending style that fuses garage-rock grit with synth-pop sheen . The article notes that this dynamic sound has earned Neon Bloom features on major stations like SiriusXM, CBC Radio 3, 102.1 The Edge (Alan Cross’s show), Indie88 and more – a testament to how widely their music is resonating. Rockum also emphasized how “Take” channels vulnerability and strength in equal measure as a lead single, building anticipation for the album release show at Toronto’s Monarch Tavern .
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SEE ROCK LIVE: Toronto’s own music blog See Rock Live absolutely raved about the “Take” video. They described Neon Bloom as “electro-psych-rock alchemists” returning “with a hypnotic vengeance” on the new track – “and we highly recommend you surrender to it.” According to See Rock Live, “‘Take’ doesn’t just ask for your attention — it demands it. It’s a siren song with swagger, pulling you into the depths of Neon Bloom’s universe.” The review painted a vivid picture of the video’s neon-soaked, cyberpunk aesthetic and unbridled energy. Perhaps most exciting for fans, See Rock Live drew comparisons to legendary bands, musing that “Think Yeah Yeah Yeahs meet Garbage in a Black Mirror episode — wildly stylish, slightly dangerous, and impossible to look away from.” In other words, Neon Bloom have crafted a style that’s both uniquely their own and evocative of some of alt-rock’s greatest icons.
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Critics Compare Neon Bloom to the Greats: Across various interviews and features, music writers have noted how Neon Bloom’s sound channels the best of multiple eras. Their blend of 70s punk attitude, 80s New Wave synths, 90s grunge edge, and modern electro-pop has led to comparisons with iconic bands like Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Arcade Fire, Blondie, and even Radiohead . It’s pretty incredible for a young band’s debut to be mentioned in the same breath as these legends – proof that Begin Here is hitting all the right notes with listeners and reviewers alike.
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Billboard Canada Shout-Out: Even mainstream music watchers are taking note – Billboard Canada included Neon Bloom’s Begin Here in their list of notable new Canadian album releases for August 2025 . Seeing Neon Bloom’s name alongside other anticipated releases in a Billboard feature is a proud moment for the band and fans, underscoring how far their reach has grown.
With so much positive press pouring in, it’s clear that Neon Bloom’s journey is just beginning (no pun intended!). The band is deeply grateful for the support – from the dedicated fans who have been there since the early days, to the media outlets and blogs worldwide that are sharing Neon Bloom’s music with new audiences.
What’s next? Tonight, the celebration continues with a hometown album release show at Toronto’s Monarch Tavern (if you’re nearby, come join the party!). For everyone else, crank up Begin Here on your favorite streaming service or grab a copy, and let Neon Bloom’s vibrant sound give you life. With reviews like these and a rapidly growing fanbase, 2025 is shaping up to be the year Neon Bloom truly blossoms into the spotlight . We couldn’t be more excited – and this is only the beginning of what’s sure to be an amazing ride.
Go ahead and dive into the album, watch the “Take” video (trust us, it’s worth it), and share your favorite tracks with fellow fans. Neon Bloom is on the rise, and we’re so happy to have you all along for this wild, wonderful journey into their neon-lit world. Here’s to Begin Here and the bright future ahead!