Mogwai and Iggy Pop smash ‘Underground’ on Happy Tears
Mogwai Unleash a Decade of Sound in Career-Spanning Compilation ‘Happy Tears’
Scottish giants Mogwai are marking three decades of sonic exploration with the release of their ambitious new compilation, Happy Tears. This career-spanning collection not only delivers a retrospective of the band’s journey but also features a thrilling new collaboration that throws the punk icon Iggy Pop into the swirling vortex of their sound.
Set for release on January 8, the album chronicles the key tracks from the band’s 30-year history, sprinkled with rarities from across their discography. Fans will dive into classic moments alongside exclusive material, including a special re-working of ‘New Paths To Helicon 1’ titled ‘Brand New Paths to Helicon 1’.
The release is available across multiple formats, including 2xCD and digital downloads, and a deluxe 4xLP edition. This larger format expands the experience with 13 additional tracks, six of which are previously unreleased, alongside remixes, live performances, and rare archival material.
The centerpiece of this collection is the brand new track, ‘Underground’, a dynamic collaboration with Iggy Pop. This pairing has generated considerable buzz, with both artists sharing insights into the powerful, raw energy of their creative partnership.
The depth of the band’s history is further explored through the accompanying audio documentary, Happy Tears: The Story Of Mogwai. Produced with creative studio Cup & Nuzzle, the film is narrated by BBC 6 Music presenter Matt Everitt and offers the band’s story for the first time, providing an intimate look at their evolution.
Stuart Braithwaite, the band’s driving force, shared his long-standing admiration for Iggy Pop, noting that hearing The Stooges had been a life-changing experience. Braithwaite reflected on his deep appreciation for the foundational music that shaped him, recalling how the energy of the Stooges was “druggy, dumb and completely primal.”
He recalled watching Iggy Pop perform live, emphasizing that while the spectacle was great, it was the voice and the songs that truly captured him. This admiration flows directly into the new collaboration, with Pop himself reflecting on the track, noting that the sound reminded him of “the crushing modern loneliness” and felt “made for someone who is pissed off and doesn’t mind saying so.”
Mogwai’s journey is also marked by recent activity, including a successful 30th-anniversary video release for their debut single ‘Tuner’ and a burgeoning international touring schedule. The band is set to continue their global adventure, with upcoming European dates and homecoming shows planned for Glasgow, further cementing their status as enduring musical forces.
Whether through the newly released music or the unfolding story of their career, Mogwai continues to deliver a rich tapestry of sound and history, proving that instrumental misery mongers can indeed hold a powerful place in rock history.
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