The Smiths famously addressed the music industry’s desire to “Reissue! Repackage! Repackage!” music with their classic song Paint A Vulgar Picture, yet, ironically, compilations such as The World Won’t Listen allowed the group’s fans to round up songs they may otherwise have struggled to source. Even in the digital age, many serious music fans still demand physical product from their favourite bands, and diligently compiled reissues can help us all plug significant gaps in our collections. With that in mind, this year’s already looking exciting on the rediscovery front, so we flick through the racks and pick out the best reissues of 2022 so far.
Best Reissues Of 2022: 10 Essential Releases Of The Year So Far
10: Pretenders: ‘Pretenders’ (LP)
Pretenders’ self-titled debut album and its follow-up, Pretenders II, enjoyed deluxe CD reissues in 2021, but they returned in classic black-vinyl editions in March this year, featuring a 2018 audio remaster carried out by original producer Chris Thomas. Both albums are magnificent, but Pretenders remains the band’s touchstone release. A unique and highly potent distillation of punky aggression and classic pop hooks, it introduced the singular songwriting talents of Chrissie Hynde and took Pretenders to the cusp of major international stardom as the 80s came into view.
Must hear: Precious