The Unearthing Of 50th Anniversary Reissue Of Neil Young's Lost Tonight’s the Night Tracks

Neil Young is dusting off the ghosts. To mark the 50th anniversary of Tonight’s the Night, his most haunted and emotionally raw album, Young is releasing a newly expanded edition featuring six unreleased or rarely heard tracks from the original 1973 sessions. The reissue, set for release on November 28, 2025, offers fans a deeper look into the dark heart of one of rock’s most legendary cult albums.

Excavating the Vault

The reissue includes six tracks that never made the final cut — most recorded at Studio Instrument Rentals (S.I.R.) in Los Angeles during the grief-stricken sessions that birthed Tonight’s the Night. Among the gems:

• A rawer, previously unheard original version of “Lookout Joe”

• A stripped-down early take of “Walk On”, later reimagined for On the Beach

• “Tonight’s the Night (Take 3)”, a looser, more chaotic version of the title track

• “Wonderin’”, once only available on Neil Young Archives, now making its vinyl debut

• “Everybody’s Alone”, “Raised on Robbery” (with Joni Mitchell), and “Speakin’ Out Jam”, previously scattered across archival releases, now finally unified

For longtime fans, this is the first time all six tracks are collected and presented in a way that aligns with the original Tonight’s the Night vision.

The Album That Was Never Supposed to Be

Originally recorded in 1973 but shelved for two years by a nervous label, Tonight’s the Night was Young’s raw response to the deaths of Crazy Horse guitarist Danny Whitten and roadie Bruce Berry. It’s lo-fi, loose, and emotionally jagged — a complete left turn after the commercial high of Harvest. Released in 1975, it quickly became a cult favorite and a cornerstone of Young’s so-called “Ditch Trilogy.”

Now, five decades later, Young is finally showing us more of what was left on the cutting room floor — not just alternate takes, but the emotional scaffolding behind the original album.

New Looks, Old Wounds

The 50th anniversary edition will be available on clear vinyl, CD, and digital, with reimagined cover art and a restored tracklist that better reflects the original S.I.R. sessions. It's a project years in the making — and another example of Young’s ongoing mission to reclaim his own musical legacy, one analog tape at a time.

This isn’t just a reissue. It’s a resurrection.

If Tonight’s the Night was a wake, the 50th anniversary edition feels like the after-afterparty — where the lights are low, the tape’s still rolling, and Neil Young is still howling into the void.

A Dive Into New Single By Gorillaz “The Manifesto”

Gorillaz have dropped a sprawling new single, “The Manifesto”, partnering with Argentine rapper Trueno and a posthumous verse from D12’s late Proof. The song serves as the second preview of their forthcoming album The Mountain, due March 20, 2026.

Clocking in at over seven minutes, “The Manifesto” unfolds in multiple phases, beginning with Trueno’s contemplative bars before shifting into an unexpectedly raw, hard‑hitting middle section led by Proof’s freestyle. Proof’s verse, reportedly recorded in his early days as a rapper, had remained unreleased until now.

But this is far from a conventional hip hop track. True to Gorillaz’s restless, genre-blurring ethos, “The Manifesto” wraps itself in lush instrumentation and global textures. The track features sarod played by Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash, bansuri by Ajay Prasanna, brass and percussion from Jea Band Jaipur, and choral backing from The Mountain Choir led by Vijayaa Shanker.

Of the track, Gorillaz’s fictional drummer Russell Hobbs remarks:

“As space dust we are here forever and that’s a mighty long time. This is a musical meditation infused with light. A journey of the soul, with beats.”

Themes: Life, Death & the Infinite

Lyrically and thematically, “The Manifesto” leans into cycles, mortality, spiritual rebirth, and the liminal spaces between life and what lies beyond. Trueno’s verses wrestle with uncertainty and aspiration—lines like “Cuando atienda la luz que me llama” (“when I heed the light that calls me”) gesture toward transcendent longing. Proof’s contributions cut deeper, acting as a haunting interlude between existence and the beyond.

In that sense, the track feels like a sonic ritual or meditation rather than a pop single—a sprawling, ambitious statement rather than something designed strictly for radio.

Context & What’s Next

“The Manifesto” follows last month’s lead single “The Happy Dictator”, which featured Sparks and served as the formal announcement of The Mountain. On the album, nearly every track includes at least one guest artist, reinforcing the collective, boundary-defying feel of the project. Among the contributors to the album: Idles, Anoushka Shankar, Yasiin Bey, Johnny Marr, Omar Souleyman, and posthumous appearances by Tony Allen, Mark E. Smith, Bobby Womack, Dave “Trugoy the Dove” Jolicoeur, and Proof himself.

Gorillaz have also mapped out a UK & Ireland tour in support of the new album. It launches March 21, 2026 in Manchester, with stops in Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Cardiff, Nottingham, Liverpool, Belfast, and Dublin. The trek culminates in a headline performance at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on June 20, with support from Sparks and Trueno.

For longtime fans, the inclusion of Proof carries extra weight: his collaboration with Gorillaz dates back to “911” (a track from the early 2000s), and hearing him resurface in “The Manifesto” offers a poignant bridge across eras.

Final Thoughts

“The Manifesto” isn’t easy listening in the conventional sense—but then, that’s been Gorillaz’s virtue from the start. It’s cinematic, ambitious, and emotionally expansive. It sets a high bar for what The Mountain might offer: a global, collaborative, visionary journey through sound, life, and beyond.

If this track is any indication, the next chapter in the Gorillaz saga looks both bold and boundless.

On Sam Mendes’ Beatles Biopic Series And The Casting Of Saoirse Ronan As Linda McCartney

Saoirse Ronan has reportedly signed on to play Linda McCartney in Sam Mendes’ ambitious Beatles biopic project—and honestly, it’s kind of perfect casting. The Oscar-nominated actress is set to take on the role of the late photographer, activist, and longtime partner of Paul McCartney in what’s shaping up to be one of the most anticipated film projects about the Fab Four.

If you haven’t been following the news, Mendes is going all-in on the Beatles story with not one, but four separate films, each told from the perspective of a different band member. It's a bold swing, and for the first time ever, the Beatles (and their estates) have actually given full access to their music and life rights for a scripted project. That alone makes this whole thing feel like a big deal.

So far, the casting for the main four has been announced: Paul Mescal will play Paul McCartney, Harris Dickinson is taking on John Lennon, Joseph Quinn will be George Harrison, and Barry Keoghan is stepping into Ringo Starr’s shoes. Now with Ronan joining the fold as Linda, it’s starting to feel like this cast could actually pull it off.

It hasn’t been confirmed exactly how much screen time Linda will get, but considering her importance in McCartney’s post-Beatles life, it’s safe to assume she’ll play a major role—at least in the Paul-focused installment. What’s interesting is that Ronan and Mescal already worked together before, so there’s already some chemistry there to build on. That could make their dynamic as Paul and Linda all the more believable on screen.

The films are all currently scheduled to hit theaters in April 2028, which is still a ways off, but it sounds like Mendes wants to release them close together so people can experience the full story as a kind of interconnected event. Think of it like binge-watching, but in theaters.

There’s still a lot we don’t know—like who else is being cast (will we see Yoko? George Martin? Brian Epstein?) and how the four films will intertwine—but what’s clear is that this project is going to be one of the biggest Beatles-related films ever made.

As for Ronan, she’s known for taking on roles with real emotional weight, and Linda McCartney certainly fits that mold. Linda wasn’t just Paul’s wife—she was a respected photographer, a musician in Wings, and a strong voice for animal rights. With Ronan in the role, there’s a good chance we’ll get a portrayal that goes beyond the usual biopic partner-in-the-background routine.

It’s early days, but if this casting is anything to go by, Mendes’ Beatles saga might actually live up to the hype. We’ll keep an ear out for more updates as production ramps up.

On The Reissue Of "Strange but True" By The Famed Yo La Tengo and Jad Fair

Indie rock fans and lovers of beautifully bizarre collaborations, rejoice — Strange but True, the cult classic from Yo La Tengo and Jad Fair, is finally getting a long-overdue reissue this December.

Originally released back in 1998, Strange but True is a true oddity in the best way. The concept? Take a bunch of sensational tabloid headlines (shoutout to Weekly World News), twist them into surreal lyrics, and let Jad Fair deliver them with his signature outsider charm, all while Yo La Tengo provides the musical backdrop. It’s chaotic, heartfelt, lo-fi, and completely unforgettable.

The album’s been hard to find for years — out of print, off streaming services, and basically a collector’s-only experience. That changes on December 12, when the reissue lands via Joyful Noise and Bar/None. It’ll be available on vinyl (yes, there’s a limited mint green pressing), CD, and, for the first time ever, digitally and on streaming platforms.

The music itself hasn’t been altered — the reissue keeps the gloriously weird original lineup of tracks, like “Texas Man Abducted by Aliens for Outer Space Joy Ride” and “National Sports Association Hires Retired English Professor to Name New Wrestling Holds.” The lyrics were crafted by David Fair (Jad’s brother and fellow Half Japanese member), who reportedly collected the headlines himself. It’s the kind of record that balances absurd humor with genuine affection for pop music’s stranger edges.

One track, “Texas Man Abducted by Aliens,” is already available to stream ahead of the release — and it’s a great teaser for the full ride.

This reissue isn’t just nostalgia; it’s about reintroducing a truly singular album to a new generation of listeners. With Yo La Tengo recently releasing This Stupid World and their Old Joy EP earlier this year, the timing feels right to celebrate one of their most experimental and playful side projects.

It’s weird, it’s wonderful, and it’s back.

Strange but True drops December 12. Don’t sleep on it.

A Look At The New Surprise Live EP "Are Playing Where??? Vol. 1" By Rock Legends Foo Fighters

Foo Fighters have surprised fans with the release of a new live EP, Are Playing Where??? Vol. 1, available now exclusively via Bandcamp. Released on October 3, 2025, the six-track collection features recordings from a series of intimate, under-the-radar club shows the band played in September across four U.S. cities.

The EP is available as a pay-what-you-want download, with all proceeds going to local charities in the cities where the shows took place.

Rare Club Shows, Classic Deep Cuts

The recordings on Are Playing Where??? Vol. 1 were captured during a run of surprise shows Foo Fighters performed in small venues—a sharp contrast to the stadiums they typically play.

The first of these intimate gigs took place in San Luis Obispo, followed shortly by stops in Santa Ana and Washington, D.C. Each performance was announced with little warning and sold out within hours, offering fans a rare opportunity to experience the band in close quarters.

Finally, the band made their way to New Haven, Connecticut, where they performed at the legendary Toad’s Place, wrapping up the short but high-energy string of shows.

All tracks on the EP are labeled simply as “Live from Somewhere 2025,” leaving fans to guess which city each performance came from.

A Charitable and DIY Approach

Are Playing Where??? Vol. 1 was released via Bandcamp—a platform known for its artist-first approach—on a Bandcamp Friday, when the service waives its revenue cut. Proceeds from the EP will go directly to nonprofit organizations in each of the four cities, focusing on food insecurity and other local aid efforts.

The decision to self-release through Bandcamp and support grassroots causes aligns with Foo Fighters’ longstanding connection to their fanbase and their continued commitment to community over commerce.

A New Era for Foo Fighters?

The EP also marks the live debut of Ilan Rubin (Nine Inch Nails, Angels & Airwaves), now stepping behind the drum kit for Foo Fighters following the tragic passing of Taylor Hawkins in 2022. Rubin’s performances have been met with enthusiasm from longtime fans, and the energy on these live recordings suggests that the band is entering a confident new chapter.

Coming off the critically acclaimed 2023 studio album But Here We Are, this live release shows a different side of Foo Fighters—one that’s loud, loose, and more interested in revisiting raw, early material than resting on radio hits.

Available Now

Are Playing Where??? Vol. 1 is streaming now on Foo Fighters’ official Bandcamp page. Fans can download it for free or contribute any amount, with 100% of proceeds benefiting local organizations in each host city.

There’s no official word on whether a Vol. 2 is in the works—but based on this release, Foo Fighters are clearly embracing spontaneity, connection, and a return to their roots.