ALBUM RELEASE NEWS

After a long absence, the Muffin Men have finally returned to their respective seats at the table. What I mean by that is thus: The first Frank Zappa-related release of 2026 shines a spotlight on Bongo Fury, the historical October 1975 collaboration between lifelong friends Frank Zappa and Captain Beefheart, with The Mothers also along for the ride. A newly expanded 50th anniversary edition of Bongo Fury will be released by Zappa Records/UMe in a variety of formats, including 2LP and 1LP sets, on March 20, 2026. Read AP editor Mike Mettler’s report to see just how Bongo Fury has been upgraded and expanded. . .

As the ’80s continued to unfold, Rush found themselves at the crossroads once again. To meet the moment head-on, the Canadian trio enlisted a new producer, made some key arrangement and songwriting modifications, and came up with their mid-’80s statement album, April 1984’s Grace Under Pressure. In celebration of this milestone LP, UMe/Mercury and Anthem continue with their ongoing, comprehensive Rush 40th anniversary album series with the arrival of newly expanded Super Deluxe Editions of Rush’s about-face 1984 release on March 13, 2026. Read AP editor Mike Mettler’s report — which includes an exclusive interview with longtime Rush production wizard Terry Brown, who remixed the original album exclusively for this box set — to see why the 180g 5LP/1BD configuration of GUP40 should make its way onto your preorder list ASAP. . .

Sounds caress my ear and the story is quite clear, as Led Zeppelin have just announced plans for how they’re going to celebrate the 50th anniversary of 1975’s seminal double-album extravaganza Physical Graffiti. To that end, the mighty Zep will be releasing a) an all-new Live E.P. on 180g vinyl, in addition to b) an updated 50th Anniversary edition of 2015’s Physical Graffiti Deluxe Edition 180g 3LP set, both of which are coming out on September 12, 2025. Read on to get all the related analog graffiti, including details about the new E.P.’s four previously unreleased live tracks and which legendary Zep shows they’ve been culled from. . .

What’s in your heh-ed, in your he-ehh-ehh-ed? If that deliberately enunciated lyrical refrain instantly brings to mind a certain chilling but ultimately cathartic song by Irish alt-rockers The Cranberries — “Zombie” — then you’ll be eternally pleased to learn that a trio of 30th anniversary vinyl editions of the album that song is from, October 1994’s No Need to Argue, will be released in spurts on both June 27, 2025, and August 15, 2025. Read on to see which version is coming out on wax when, and what tracks each edition contains. . .

Call it a case of, shall we say, “capitol gains.” The capitol spelling there is quite deliberate, for it relates to the Washington, D.C., hometown locale of the notable ethereal goth-rock band Strange Boutique, who are finally back on the scene with their first new album in 31 years, Let the Lonely Heart Sing. The LP was released yesterday, June 10, 2025, in a pair of limited-edition color vinyl options by The Circle Music, a Greek label. Read on to see why you should procure either/both versions of Strange Boutique’s stunning new LP ASAP. . .

We duly announce that The B-52’s The Warner Reprise Years 9LP box set is slated for release from Warner Records/Reprise/Rhino on June 20, 2025. All 9LPs in this massive collection, which spans the balance of the pioneering alt-punk band’s kaleidoscopic recording career from 1979 to 1992, have been remastered and repressed on a literal rainbow variety of color vinyl options, so read on to see what those colors are, and how good each LP sounds. . .

“It was the hippest of times, it was the squarest of times — mostly the latter.” Ever cleverly dour, that was how the principal members of Steely Dan (a.k.a. Walter Becker and Donald Fagen) opened the three-paneled liner-notes portion of the folded booklet within the MCA CD reissue of their masterful May 1976 ABC album The Royal Scam. Thankfully, the music found therein was much more hip than square — and, now, after a 40-year wait (!), The Royal Scam is finally seeing proper vinyl reissues courtesy separate Geffen/UMe and Analogue Productions editions on June 6, 2025. Read on to see all the royal LP details. . .