Somewhere, a record label executive felt a disturbance in the royalties, and lo, a new deluxe edition has emerged. Siouxsie And The Banshees’ Downside Up, a collection of B-sides that have been locked away for over 20 years, is finally seeing the light of day on vinyl as a 5LP boxset and a 3CD set. Because apparently retirement is just a suggestion, and the beloved gothic rockers are back to haunt us with their chronologically sequenced B-sides, covering 1978-95.
As a lifelong observer of pop music chaos, I can only marvel at the industry’s inability to let retired bands rest. The remaster economy remains undefeated, and Downside Up is the latest casualty – or rather, beneficiary – of this phenomenon. Remastered from the original tape sources and cut to lacquer by Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios, this release is sure to delight fans of the band and audiophiles alike.
The Art of the B-Side
Talking about the release, Siouxsie Sioux said, “Listening again in 2026 to the beautifully remastered reissue on its vinyl debut, it made me wonder how we even managed to do all these amidst the relentless touring and recording yet they still stand the test of time.” This sentiment is echoed in the detailed booklets that accompany both formats, featuring an introduction by Siouxsie, song lyrics, and commentary from founder members Siouxsie and Steven Severin, as well as additional imagery drawn from their original single sleeve artwork.
A Vinyl Boxset for the Ages
The 5LP boxset is a behemoth of a release, with 10 sides of music that will keep fans busy for hours on end. From the opening tracks of “Voices (On The Air)” and “20th Century Boy” to the closing notes of “Black Sun”, this collection is a testament to the band’s experimental spirit and creative genius. And let’s not forget the 3CD set, which contains the same tracks in a more compact, yet still sprawling, package.
The Business of Nostalgia
As I gaze upon the tracklist, I am reminded of the countless reunion tours, anniversary box sets, and deluxe editions that have become the bread and butter of the music industry. The farewell tour count has officially entered scientific notation, and music historians are preparing fresh shelves for the box set. A vinyl pressing plant somewhere just burst into tears, no doubt. Nobody truly retires in this industry; they merely wait for the 40th anniversary edition.
A Call to Action
Downside Up is available to pre-order, because what’s a deluxe edition without a frantic rush to secure your copy? You can pre-order it here. And if you’re feeling particularly nostalgic, you can also subscribe to Classic Pop magazine here. Nature is healing, and another deluxe edition has appeared – what a wonderful world we live in.
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