Back catalogue: All genres

Review: NPG Records and Paisley Park Enterprises, in partnership with Warner Records, are pleased to announce the release of a brand-new audiophile Blu-ray featuring 2024's Dolby Atmos mix of Prince and the Revolution's iconic 1984 album, Purple Rain, as well as Prince's original 1984 stereo mix, in high-definition 24bit / 96kHz audio.

Prince shattered all expectations and made music history when he released the album Purple Rain, followed by the hit movie of the same name weeks later. The 9-track LP went on to win two Grammy awards ("Best Rock Performance by a Group" & "Best Album of Original Score Written For A Motion Picture"), two American Music Awards, a Brit Award, and an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score. In 2012 the Library of Congress added the album to the National Recording Registry, which only accepts sound recordings that "are culturally, historically, or aesthetically important, and/or inform or reflect life in the United States." Purple Rain spent 24 weeks at #1 on the Billboard album charts, sold over 25 million copies worldwide, and appears on countless 'Best Of' polls, most recently achieving the #4 spot on Apple Music's Top 100 Albums Of All Time.

The 2024 Atmos presentation of Purple Rain featured on this Blu-Ray, was meticulously mixed from the original multi-track master tapes by Prince's protege and Best Engineered Grammy nominee Chris James. It was released via all participating Digital Service Providers on June 21, 2024. "In 2024 we started our year-long celebration of the 40th anniversary of Purple Rain, we are thrilled to present Prince's masterpiece in ATMOS, providing an immersive, surround auditory experience of Prince's legendary album. This highly crafted release will present Prince's iconic work with more space and depth while preserving the beautiful songs that have shaped music and popular culture, and touched the lives of countless fans around the world." - Paisley Park Enterprises

Region code: universal

Review: Red Hot Chili Peppers' Californication is undeniably a landmark album that has left a lasting impact on music history. As the album celebrates its 25th anniversary, fans are treated to a visually striking vinyl release. This anniversary reissue edition offers an opportunity to revisit and appreciate the album in a new light. Californication has stood the test of time as a commercial success, with its title track becoming a cultural phenomenon with over one billion views on YouTube. 'Scar Tissue' is also as memorable and instantly recognisable song the band has ever done. The album has many other great moments as well. One of the band's most complete and important releases with the new red and blue vinyl complimenting the artwork perfectly.

Review: Red Hot Chili Peppers have found some good form of late with a new album Unlimited Love earlier in the year now followed by a surprise second new album. Anthony Kiedis and co's Return of the Dream Canteen is a second Rick Rubin-produced album. The group said of the album "We went in search of ourselves. A beautiful bit of chemistry meddling that had befriended us hundreds of times along the way. Once we found that slipstream of sound and vision, we just kept mining." This one sounds like classic Chilis with plenty of funk and big riffs as well as great songwriting.

Review: Attention, fornicators: there's a brand new RHCP album on the horizon, and it's set to be a stonker. 'Unlimited Love' is the band's first recording with guitarist John Frusciante since 2006, and is a welcome return following his various electronic stints and solo projects. Lead single 'Black Summer' heads up the project, fleshing out a more melancholy sound compared to their earlier works, yet still calling attention to Frusciante's iconic surf jamming and Chad Smith's up-down rhythm section. This new album, in their own words, had the band "enrapt".

Review: Royal Blood's debut was a smash hit, and its globe-conquering success notably hasn't led them to make an avant-jazz record for this follow-up, nor to stray too far from the amp-abusing template it set out. Nor indeed does this record live up to its title, despite spending much of its 35-minute duration chronicling the downfall of a relationship, Nonetheless, the Brightonian duo remain possessed of testosterone-driven power and brass-knuckle boisterousness to slay ten lesser bands, and 'How Did We Get so Dark?' is another masterclass in the creation of riffs big enough to fill a canyon.

Review: British rock twosome Royal Blood had a famously speedy ascent, with their self-titled debut album appearing little over a year after the duo started working together. That album is now ten years old, hence this lightly expanded anniversary edition. The original ten-track album - a raw, rugged, energetic and at times insanely loud fusion of red-raw metal guitars, Ben Thatcher's thunderous drums and Mike Kerr's yelped vocals and booming bass - remains as thrilling and jaw-dropping as it did a decade ago, making it a genuine British alt-rock classic. This time round, we also get six bonus tracks (B-sides and EP bonus cuts), an alternative remix of 'Ten Tonne Skeleton' and a quintet of live recordings from 2015.

Review: Hip-hop supergroup Run The Jewels have looked back on their Run the Jewels 14 album and reworked it through a squarely Latin American lens. They have called upon artists from across the diaspora and in doing so spotlight a real wealth of talent for another superb album in this feel-good band's impeccable run. Oscar-winning Broadway megastar Lin-Manuel Miranda is one of the standouts in an album full of wild different and expressive sounds. This is certainly a collaborative free-for-all that is well worth hearing.

Review: Seal's self-titled debut album, especially in its deluxe reissue, showcases a diverse range of influences from soul and r&b to dance and even hints of country. While standout tracks like 'Killer' and 'Crazy' remain timeless dance floor classics, other songs have aged quite well. The production, helmed by Trevor Horn, still stands out today, with tracks like 'Whirlpool' displaying layers of gospel and soul. The deluxe edition offers a glimpse into the late 80s and early 90s dance and offers some great bonus material. Seal's debut album remains a compelling listen, especially for those interested in exploring the musical landscape of the early 90s.

Review: Simply Red's Love & The Russian Winter is one of many great modern soul albums from the flame-haired Mancunian and one that really captures his band's signature blend of soul, pop and jazz styles. Released originally back in 1999, the album is now a full quarter of a century old and features smooth melodies and rich instrumentation with Mick Hucknall's emotive vocals shining throughout. Tracks like 'The World and You Tonight' and 'Love Is a Long Road' highlight the group's ability to weave heartfelt lyrics with infectious grooves while the lush arrangements and sophisticated production create a warm atmosphere which makes it perfect for both relaxed listening and intimate gatherings. Overall, this one still sounds great and is a great testament to Simply Red's enduring appeal.

Review: The Sisters Of Mercy's enduring album Floodland presents an 80s throwback; this was a time in which many bands were experimenting with gothic and shadowy musical and visual themes, and the Sisters were no exception, having been progenitors of this trend in their native Leeds since as early on as 1980, only shortly after the term "gothic rock" was coined. Floodland followed a much-mythologised tour fallout in June 1985, after which the band effectively split up; dusting themselves off, and/or rising from resurrective Transylvanian mists, they soon returned with Floodland in 1987, albeit with a revised lineup. Still aided by the trusty Doktor Avalanche, lead brain Eldritch would this time hire former Gun Club and Fur Bible bassist Patricia Morrison for performance duties; packing the hit singles 'This Corrosion', 'Dominion' and 'Lucretia My Reflection', this is a caliginous cascade of doomy sound, tempered by both lonely moments of piano catalepsy and high moments of hellish hysteria.

Review: Mike Skinner is surely deserving of National Treasure status by now, is he not? From mischievous young MC upstart to garage innovator and now the voice of the nation, his journey has been remarkable and as this album shows it isn't done yet. He said in the built-up to it that for the first time in his career, he has allowed himself to be more loose with his lyrics, to say enigmatic things, make odd references and use stranger metaphors that might not always make perfect sense but that feel right in the moment. That makes it a great listen, as well as all the usual catchy hooks and compelling beats.

Review: Talk Talk are true totems of the British synth-pop tradition, and they certainly took an interesting path into experimental realms from the midpoint of their career, but it all began right here. The Party's Over is grandiose in all the best ways, capturing an era of exquisite songwriting which was groundbreaking and traditionally rooted at the same time. Like ABC, Talk Talk knew how to deliver bombast and sentimentality without losing the depth of their work, and now, 40 years on, this spectacular album is being given a reissue on white vinyl.

Review: Talking Heads: 77 marks the band's audacious entry into the music scene, brimming with quirky, infectious energy. It opens with 'Uh-Oh, Love Comes To Town', a playful yet complex love song that introduces David Byrne's distinctive lyrical style and the band's adventurous spirit. With its upbeat tempo and unexpected steel drum accents, the track hints at the future explorations of rhythm by members Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz. The album's standout tracks, like 'New Feeling', showcase Byrne's abstract musings set against a tight, driving backdrop. This introspective yet rhythmic approach establishes a refreshing distance from typical rock conventions. Similarly, 'Tentative Decisions' displays a blend of mechanical and human elements, reflecting Byrne's unique perspective. Contrastingly, tracks such as 'Psycho Killer' present a darker tone, discussing sociopathy with catchy hooks, while 'No Compassion' conveys a menacing detachment, talking of the complexities of urban life in 1977 New York. The infectious simplicity of 'Who Is It' reveals the band's ability to flirt with mainstream sentiment without succumbing to cliche. Throughout the album, Talking Heads demonstrate their skillful manipulation of sound and structure, weaving vibrant sonic details into an engaging tapestry. This debut not only highlights their artistic vision but also lays the groundwork for the visionary work to come.

Review: Talking Heads proudly reintroduce their iconic debut album, Talking Heads: 77, with the extensive Super Deluxe Edition, available in a comprehensive 3xCD + Blu-ray + Book format. This edition features a fresh AAA remaster cut directly from the original master tapes, ensuring that the album's unique sound is presented in the best possible quality. This release documents the evolution of the band, originally formed by David Byrne, Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth and later expanded with the addition of Jerry Harrison from the Modern Lovers. From the outset, Talking Heads: 77 distinguished itself within New York's vibrant CBGB scene, characterised by Byrne's distinctive, high-pitched vocals and the band's tightly wound yet dynamic instrumentation. Key tracks like the haunting 'Psycho Killer' and the upbeat 'Pulled Up' stand out. Spanning nearly three hours, the Super Deluxe Edition includes many rarities such as outtakes and unreleased alternate versions, along with a never-before-heard recording of their final CBGB performance on October 10, 1977. The accompanying Blu-ray features an immersive Atmos mix and various remastered formats. Housed in an elegant 80-page hardcover book, this edition includes new liner notes and rare photos, celebrating the band's influential legacy.

Review: It's almost Christmas time which of course means we get inundated with plenty of brilliantly seasonal albums to add a touch of sonic warmth and festivities to your parties. This one is a mix of more modern-leaning collections of Christmas sounds from favourites like Ed Sheehan and Kelly Clarkson next to more traditional names like Michael Buble, Otis Redding, Donny Hathaway and The Pogues. It does on four sides of vinyl and really will do the trick to get you in the mood while you over eat and drink too much for a good few weeks this December.

Review: We've had more Neil Young compilations thrown our way over the years than many of us care to remember, but only one really sticks in the mind, and it's this one. Originally released in 1977 and chronicling the period in which Young went from being a simple member of Buffalo Springfield to one of the most heralded North American songwriters of the late century, and comprising work from that band alongside Crosby Stills Nash and Young, it's studded with delights aplenty. From the extended guitar sprawl of 'Down By The Ocean' and 'Cortez The Killer' to poignant balladry like 'After The Goldrush' and 'Helpless', no-one captured the dreams and hopes of the hippie generation in quite the way Young did, and this collection is a magnificent testimony to his most fertile and heartwarming era.

Review: On Before And After, Young chooses favourites from his playbook like a trip into his music history and performs them mostly alone on a solo acoustic journey. Each of the songs blend into each other and morph with mesmerizing clarity into a continuous flow of music creating a 48-minute pure and intimate listening experience. The 13-track album spans Neil's career, from Neil's early Buffalo Springfield contribution, "Burned" (1966) to the recent "Don't Forget Love"(2021) and includes the previously unreleased song "If You Got Love".

As Neil put it on his NYA site:
Songs from my life, recently recorded, create a music montage with no beginnings or endings. The feeling is captured, not in pieces, but as a whole piece. Only for listening.

Review: There are rock stars, then there are rock stars. Then there are rock starts like Neil Young who, with or without jumping on the Crazy Horse, will always be considered as a bonafide original and a true icon. Hence the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inducting him not once, but twice, thanks to services rendered both solo and in the band Buffalo Springfield.

While every show Young plays is always remembered as a real moment in guitar history, some rank higher than others. His performance at New York's Carnegie Hall on 4th December 1970 sits in the latter category. Covering one of the most celebrated eras in this prized artist's career, it boasts an expansive setlist that includes anthems like 'Down By The River' and 'Sugar Mountain' realised in a pared-back style, with then-unreleased and, in the cases of 'Bad Fog Of Loneliness', 'Old Man', and 'See the Sky About to Rain', unrecorded gems also present and correct.

Review: This is the great Neil Young's latest "lost" album, now released as part of his Analog Original Series. Recorded between May and December 1977, it precedes Comes A Time from 1978 but it also shares its country and folk sound. Three tracksi'Goin' Back,' 'Human Highway' and 'Field of Opportunity' appear on both albums in fact. This vinyl release reflects the album's original planned tracklist and 'Oceanside' finds Young perform solo, while 'Countryside' features collaborators like Ben Keith, Rufus Thibodeaux and Levon Helm. Some tracks differ from Archives Vol. III, with original versions of 'Field of Opportunity' and 'Dance Dance Dance' featuring Young's backing vocals.

Review: What proportion of the rock 'n' roll pantheons Neil Young will occupy when he finally (God forbid) stables the Crazy Horse is anyone's guess, but you'd better believe it will be more than most artists. 'Homegrown', until now at least, was at risk of being missing from those chapters, which would have been a crying shame given it epitomises what a songwriting tour de force he was in the 1970s. There's a raw feel to the album that goes beyond the near-50-year-old born-on date, perhaps best encapsulated in the fact we open mid-note - the tape started rolling after the maestro began playing. At the time Young was reeling from a breakup, and eventually decided not to release the album at all due to its personal subject matter. Now ready to let the world in, it's quintessential Young but also one of the closest we've ever got to his soul, albeit retrospectively.

Review: Neil Young recorded Toast in 2001 and has never previously released it. It is one of his numerous one-off genre-experiment albums and half of the tunes on it made it onto his Are You Passionate? in only slighted revised form. Made with backing from the soul legends Booker T. and the M.G.'s and Young's normal rock band Crazy Horse, there are hard hitting and hard rocking tunes like 'Timberline' next to more R&B leaning cuts and 'Gateway of Love,' a 10-minute guitar workout that is one of the best you will not have heard before.

Review: Where do you start with a new album from Neil Young? One of the great rock artists of the 1970s hasn't stopped since - much to the joy of many and the derision of others - and here presents his staggering 39th studio album. Recorded in the mountains of Colorado, as those who watch the accompanying film will know only too well, in many ways it's his most significant work since "Le Noise", and certainly has the power you'd hope from reunification with backing band Crazy Horse. "Colorado" is incredibly personal and intimate, and yet also focused on subjects that are much farther reaching than you or I. It's politically charged and socially motivated, while never forgetting it's the small stories that often resonate most with listeners. A true master here closer to the top of his game than he has been in a very long time, if there's justice in the world it will win over new fans by the bucketload.

Review: Recorded live at the Rainbow Theatre in London on November 5, 1973 as part of Young's tour with the Santa Monica Flyers, this key show in Young's career finally gets pressed to vinyl thanks to Warner. The band - comprised of Young on vocals and guitar, Nils Lofgren (lead and rhythm guitar, piano, accordion, vocals), Ben Keith (pedal steel guitar, vocals), Billy Talbot (bass, vocals) and Ralph Molina (drums, vocals) - performed a series of standout shows following the release of their seminal album Tonight's the Night. Featuring too many classics to count, including 'Helpless', 'Don't Be Denied' and 'Cowgirl In The Sand', this show is regularly celebrated for its "completely spontaneous and high-revved performance".

Review: Back in November 1990, fresh off recording Ragged Glory, Neil Young and Crazy Horse took the stage at The Catalyst in Santa Cruz. They played a long and sprawling set of tunes that last three hours and took in songs like 'Love and Only Love' and 'Like a Hurricane' which they managed to hypnotically stretching out for more than ten minutes. The gig was also the debut live airing for 'Danger Bird' which was on the 1975 album Zuma. All of these make it on to the Way Down In The Rust Bucket album as part of Young's on going Performance Series.

Review: Neil Young's Early Daze with Crazy Horse is a treasure trove of mostly unreleased rarities from the early 70s. This 10-track album features familiar songs in rare and previously unheard versions, showcasing Young's raw, unfiltered creativity. Highlights include unreleased takes of 'Come On Baby Let's Go Downtown' and 'Look At All The Things,' co-written with Danny Whitten, adding depth to their collaborative legacy. Fans will also relish unreleased versions of classics like 'Helpless,' 'Wonderin',' and 'Down by the River.' The album offers a fresh experience with rare mixes of 'Birds' and the seven-inch mono mix of 'Cinnamon Girl,' complete with a unique guitar outro not present on the original LP. Early Daze is a compelling collection that captures the essence of Neil Young and Crazy Horse's early synergy, making it a vital piece of rock history.

Review: Neil Young's Early Daze is a treasure trove for fans, featuring mostly unreleased rarities from the early 70s with Crazy Horse. The ten-track album offers iconic Young originals and co-written pieces with Danny Whitten, including rare versions of 'Come On Baby Let's Go Downtown' and 'Look At All The Things.' The LP includes unreleased versions of classics like 'Helpless,' 'Wonderin',' and 'Down by the River.' Fans will also appreciate the rare mixes of 'Birds' and 'Cinnamon Girl,' the latter being the 7" mono mix with a unique guitar outro not present on the original LP version. Early Daze is akin to a mini Archives release, with only two tracks overlapping with Archives Vol 1, making it an essential addition for collectors. This album captures the raw and unpolished brilliance of Young's early work with Crazy Horse, offering a fascinating glimpse into the genesis of some of his most beloved songs.