Roxy Music releases expanded ‘For Your Pleasure’ and ‘Grey Lagoons’ demo

Roxy Music is celebrating a significant expansion of their storied catalogue, releasing rare studio recordings and an expansive new edition of their seminal 1973 album, For Your Pleasure.

This comprehensive re-issue offers fans a deep dive into the creative process behind one of the band’s most influential works. The new edition delves into the ambitious second act of the group, exploring the pressures and triumphs involved in crafting an intelligent, impactful body of work for an audience.

The genesis of the album was marked by a strong desire to push boundaries. As frontman Bryan Ferry reflected on the experience, he spoke of feeling a responsibility to write lyrics that resonated deeply, noting that there was a “hunger in the whole band to do more: a very strong urge to get back into a recording studio and make a better record than the first one.”

To chase this vision, Ferry retreated to a remote Derbyshire cottage, surrounded by his instruments and notebooks. These few days were crucial, where he gathered songwriting sketches and recorded fragile cassettes, laying the groundwork for the magic contained on For Your Pleasure>.

These intimate sessions yield a treasure trove of material. The new release includes unheard studio recordings, raw songwriting sketches, rehearsals, outtakes, and rare live performances, offering an unprecedented glimpse into the band’s evolution.

The re-issue provides access to fascinating behind-the-scenes content across three distinct discs. CD1 features core tracks from the album, including songs like Do The Strand, Beauty Queen, Strictly Confidential, and the title track, For Your Pleasure.

CD2 is packed with studio material, offering demos, rehearsals, and outtakes. Listeners can explore recordings of tracks like Grey Lagoons, along with instrumental pieces from the band’s sessions at AIR Studios, including various ‘outtakes’ and demos for songs such as Pyjamarama and Editions Of You.

CD3 highlights the live energy of the group, featuring recordings from live sessions and singles, including performances of Grey Lagoons at the BBC Paris Theatre and various Peel Sessions tracks.

In addition to these unique audio releases, the Super Deluxe Edition is designed for collectors. It encompasses a second disc of unheard songwriting sketches recorded by Ferry, studio outtakes mastered by John Webber, and a third disc filled with previously unheard live sessions. This set is anchored by an 116-page book featuring rare photographs, lyrics, work-in-progress notes, and essays from band members and creative collaborators.

The release also includes the newly released Grey Lagoons – 1971 Demo, which formed part of the homemade tape that first brought Roxy Music to the music press’s attention. Fans can also access additional bonus material, including live performance clips and exclusive remixes from Steven Wilson.

The comprehensive collection is available across multiple formats, including vinyl, CD, Blu-Ray, and a deluxe package for ultimate collectors. It is an invitation to step back into the creative orbit of Roxy Music and witness the fascinating journey that led to one of rock music’s most enduring sounds.