Taking to Instagram to share the news, Heap captioned the post: “You asked and we listened. Aeroplane is now available everywhere. Completing the Frou Frou canon.” This is the first time fans have witnessed Heap and Sigsworth join forces since debuting the single ‘A New Kind Of Love (Demo)’ as a studio release in 2022 – a never-heard-before Frou Frou song dating back to the band’s productive years of the late nineties. 

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The rerelease of ‘Aeroplane’ follows Heap’s recent blowup on social media, particularly on TikTok, where her song ‘Headlock’ experienced a viral moment earlier this year, re-entering the UK Top 40 charts at #35 – 20 years after its release! The popular return of the track aligns with the song rights being restored to the British producer and musician after a vicennial licensing agreement with Sony. Heap expressed her enthusiasm for younger generations discovering her music in a recent statement: “So incredibly grateful to have this new energy coming into my life from new and old fans surrounding ‘Headlock’. Timing is immaculate, as after 20 years of this song being licensed to Sony as part of the ‘Speak for Yourself’ album, it’s just reverted back to me! Thank you Universe!” 

Forming a musical partnership in 1997, Frou Frou are a band that, although no longer active, preserve a legacy of being highly innovative and foundational in the world of electronic music. Most well-known for their 2004 recorded cover of Bonnie Tyler’s ‘Holding Out for a Hero’, the song was used in the credits of the animation film Shrek 2, representing an element of nostalgia for the generation who now resonate with Heap’s solo music endeavours. Although the duo only produced music for the relatively short years of 1997-2004, their only studio album to date, ‘Details’ (2002) remains much-loved by fans and musicians alike, debuting to positive reviews upon initial release. Heap and Sigsworth have also retained their musical rapport on stage, as well as the recording room: As recently as 2017, Sigsworth joined the ‘Hide And Seek’ singer for her Mycelia tour.

Listen to the rerelease of ‘Aeroplane’ now on all streaming platforms. 

The boxset entitled ‘The Roaring Forty | 1983-2023’ is set to be released on 27^th October this year and is available for pre-order now. Compiled by Bragg himself, fans can look forward to 3 formats of Bragg’s music.

The first format available is a single disc ‘primer’ of 13 songs on limited edition orange vinyl.

A 40-song, 3-album collection on three varying shades of green vinyl is also available to purchase, ‘to appeal to casual admirers and die-hard fans alike.’

Both limited edition colour vinyl formats are also available to purchase as a CD.

The third format is perfect for Bragg fanatics, allowing them the opportunity to own a 14-CD boxset containing over 300 songs. This limited edition ‘Super Deluxe’ boxset includes all 12 of Bragg’s studio albums, non-album singles and B-sides, as well as previously unreleased material and live recordings from throughout his career. With this edition, fans will also receive a large format book including images of 40 significant mementos from Bragg’s life, including the flyer to his first solo gig, his first NME cover, the Red Wedge Manifesto and much, much more.

When ordered from Bragg’s official shop, the first 1000 orders of any format will come with a signed A4 art print, as well as access to pre-sale tickets for an upcoming tour.

Known for his left-wing activism as much as his folk and punk rock music, Bragg has publicly tackled political issues throughout his career, using his platform to further the socialist agenda. Much of Bragg’s work incites its listeners to join activist causes, allowing Bragg to obtain a passionate and confronting fan base, many of whom have been with him since the 1980s.

Bragg tweeted, ‘In the early 80s, I realised if I wanted to hear music that said something about the state of the world, I’d have to make it myself.’ He has continued to act as a spokesperson for the left-wing and has compiled these ‘commemorative releases’ in honour of a career that hasn’t shied away from difficult conversations.

In the early 80s, I realised if I wanted to hear music that said something about the state of the world, I’d have to make it myself. To mark my 40th anniversary, I’ve compiled a number of commemorative releases spanning my career since then. Pre-order: https://t.co/BuRCFT8RJS pic.twitter.com/Or2sN0JqVh

— Billy Bragg (@billybragg) February 28, 2023

To celebrate his 40 years in music, an upcoming UK and Ireland tour is also set to be announced soon. Bragg is also set to play a charity show at the O2 Academy Oxford on 19^th May 2023. Tickets are available from 5^th March and can be purchased here.

For nearly 20 years, @HOPEnothate have been in the front line combatting racism and fascism in the UK, and I’m proud to help raise funds so they can continue their important work. Tickets on general sale 11am Sunday 5th March: https://t.co/cW0OW2F0Xg Support: @tomasmithmusic pic.twitter.com/ibIqi4Z2Vy — Billy Bragg (@billybragg) March 3, 2023

‘The Roaring Forty | 1983-2023’ is available to pre-order now.

Stream Billy Bragg’s discography here.

See Bragg on tour:

19/05/2023 – 02 Academy Oxford – Oxford

27/05/2023 – Catton Hall – Walton-on-Trent

05/08/2023 – Curraghmore Estate – County Waterford

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During its original release, the song attracted a lot of bad publicity due to its message of anti-establishment. Much to the dismay of the country’s conservative population, many sub-cultures within Britain’s youth instantly took to the record and sported “God Save The Queen” t-shirts. The backlash of the single grew whilst propelling the Sex Pistols to the centre of the punk movement. Tensions rose to a boiling point when some members of the band were arrested whilst performing the song on a boat during the Jubilee celebrations.

Despite being banned from the BBC and various commercial radio stations, the single reached number two on the UK singles charts. The song was the second single to be released from the band’s only studio album Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols and boasted lyrics calling the UK “a fascist regime”. The song was written and released not to offend but to relate to those in the country who had felt disenfranchised and let down. Singer John Lydon gave a statement concerning the track’s themes, “You don’t write God Save The Queen because you hate the English race. You write a song like that because you love them, and you’re fed up with them being mistreated.”

At the time of its original release on 27th May 1977, the track was considered one of the most controversial events in history. During the initial stages of the release, the band were signed to record label A&M but following disputes over the band’s behaviour the label terminated their contract. These issues led to the label destroying over 25,000 copies of the track, some copies of the track survived and can be sold for up to £16,000. In late May of 1977, the group signed with Virgin Records, marking their third label change in just under a year.

The 2022 re-release of the single will be split into two available options, fans will be able to purchase the A&M version as well as the release via Virgin Records, 1,977 A&M copies will be re-released, and 4,000 copies of Virgin’s version will be re-released. Both records will include the iconic track but will also adhere to the original release and contain different B-sides. The A&M release will feature the B-side “No Feeling” and “Did You No Wrong” will be the B-side within the re-release from Virgin. Both re-releases will also feature the original artwork, the A&M re-release will include the company sleeve and will be pressed on silver/platinum vinyl and Virgin’s re-release will feature the eye-catching artwork designed by Jamie Reid.

This month also marks the release of the band’s upcoming docu-series, Danny Boyle’s adaption of Steve Jones’ memoir is set to be released on 31st May 2022. Entitled Pistol, the series will be available to watch on Disney Plus.

Click here to pre-order “God Save The Queen“

The live material was recorded before the group released their most famous album The Dark Side Of The Moon. Released in 1973, the album took the group to its peak popularity and became one of the best-selling albums of all time. The newly added recorded performances were held before this era, the recordings document a time before the group became musical icons.

The live albums span a period between the album cycles of the 1970 release Atom Heart Mother and the 1972 album Obscured by Clouds. During this era, the group were touring the world and the setlist included such tracks as “Atom Heart Mother”, “Echoes” and “Careful With That Axe, Eugene”.

The earliest documentation in the releases can be heard in They Came In Peace. The album boasts a setlist of seven tracks and includes performances from 28th February 1970 at Leeds University and Washington University on 16th November 1971. The latest recording from the new releases is heard on the album Lyon & Tokyo, Lyon 12 June 1971, Tokyo 16 March 1972. The recording is from a live performance held on 16th March 1972 in Tokyo and was almost a year before the release of The Dark Side of The Moon.

The full list of rare material in which the group released to streaming platforms includes They Came In Peace, Leeds University  28 Feb 1970 Washington University 16 Nov 1971, Live At Grosser Saal, Musikhalle, Hamburg, West Germany 25 Feb 1971, Mauerspechte Berlin Sportpalast 5 June 1971, Lyon & Tokyo, Lyon 12 June 1971, Tokyo 16 March 1972, Palaeur Rome 20 June 1971, Amsterdamse Bos Free Concert 26 June 1971, Live In Montreux 18 and 18 Sept 1971, KB Hallen, Copenhagen 23 Sept 1971, KB Hallen, Copenhagen, Vol ii, Live 23 Sept 1971, Over Bradford Pigs On The Groove Bradford University 10 Oct 1971, Embryo, San Diego, Live 17 Oct 1971 and The Screaming Abdabs Quebec City, Live 10 Nov 1971.

On 18th February 2022, the Restored & Re-Edited version of Pink Floyd’s P.U.L.S.E. is released as a 2 Blu-ray/2 DVD deluxe box set, with music videos, screen films, documentaries, rehearsal footage, 60 page booklet, and the flashing LED is back! https://t.co/iTDgQbC0Yf pic.twitter.com/umd4MkIJw9

— Pink Floyd (@pinkfloyd) December 16, 2021

In other news, the band have announced that their 1995 film P.U.L.S.E. Restored and Re-Edited will be available for the first time on Blu-ray on 18th February 2022. The concert film documents the group’s gig held on 20th October 1994 at London’s Earls Court. The performance was part of their The Division Bell Tour, the film was originally released on VHS in June 1995 and DVD in July 2006.

The film was directed by acclaimed director David Mallet, the British director has been heralded as one of the most prolific directors of music videos in the 1980s. Mallet’s videography spans from the 1970s until 2020 and includes such iconic musicians as David Bowie and Queen. The re-release of the film will be available as a double Blu-ray edition and double DVD deluxe box set.

Click here to pre-order P.U.L.S.E. Restored and Re-Edited.

The album will be repackaged in a five LP or four-CD box set which will include remastered and alternate mixes of the album from producer Steven Wilson, as well as a host of outtakes and live versions.

It’s set for release on October 1st priced between £90 and £210. The tweet below showcases the package, which also includes a booklet, recreated tour programme and poster.

Take a peek at what’s inside Technical Ecstasy Deluxe Edition. Out on October 1st.⁰Featuring a newly remastered album, previously unreleased outtakes, alternative mixes and live tracks.⁰Order your copy here: https://t.co/5Tc7XL2oSi pic.twitter.com/ZyFwmBUvWJ

— BlackSabbath (@BlackSabbath) August 4, 2021

The original release was met with mixed reviews, but ‘Technical Ecstasy’ was a commercial success and was backed by a tour that included support from Aussie rockers AC/DC.

During the tour, the band experienced much friction and saw singer Ozzy Osbourne temporarily depart to be replaced by Savoy Brown’s Dave Walker. Although Osbourne would soon return for 1978’s ‘Never Say Die’, but was afterwards replaced permanently by Ronnie James Dio.

This ‘Super Deluxe’ version of ‘Technical Ecstasy’ is just the latest in a series of reissues from the well-renowned metal group. Earlier this year, they put out a reissue of their fourth album ‘Vol. 4’ containing 20 unreleased tracks.

In addition to this Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler also announced that he is working on his autobiography, in the hope that he can give his grandchildren the chance to look back at his illustrious career.

Elsewhere, original drummer Bill Ward is pushing for the band to reform and perhaps the possibility of recording a final album. Ward did leave the band in 2012 but has now stated “I’m not done with the Black Sabbath legacy. I haven’t been done. I was made done, but I’m not done. So, the others might be done, but I’m not.”

Both tracks have been rereleased as singles on the same day as the videos are revealed, remastered by 12-time Grammy-award winning Bob Ludwig, and the videos designed by London creative design company Yes Please productions, who work primarily within the music industry.

Rolling Stoney quotes Yes Please Productions’ directors Tom Readdy and Lucy Dawkings, who said that “With ‘Jumpin’ Jack Flash’ being among the greatest Rock ‘n Roll singles of all time we knew we had to create a visual that somehow matched the swagger and excitement of the track…With that guitar riff and Jagger’s exceptional searing vocal we set out to create animations that hit and emphasized every beat, guitar part and syllable sung.” 

The Jumpin Jack Flash video features a simple red and black based colour palette with hand-sketched elements to create an ‘energetic visual’ which matches the song’s adrenaline, while the visual for Child of The Moon is designed with a swinging 60s aesthetic, with plenty of psychedelic-style flowers and trippy transitions, the lyrics appearing on screen as if growing there. The lyrics are written in the same typeface originally used on a 7” picture sleeve for the two songs back when they were originally released.

The classic Jumpin’ Jack Flash was a Mick Jagger and Keith Richards creation, the original recording produced at Olympic Studios in London and featuring all five members of the band, including Keither Richards on bass as well as lead guitar. Child of the Moon followed suit, also produced by Jimmy Miller at Olympic records and featuring Brian Jones on Saxophone.

You can buy stream the newly remastered singles on all good music platforms including Spotify and Apple Music, and you can watch the lyric videos here: