The Pop Corporation

Mark Lanegan’s estate have announced a new box set of ‘Bubblegum’ to celebrate the 20th anniversary of it. The best bit of news for you is that it will include 12 previously unreleased songs. It’ll be called ‘Bubblegum XX’ and you’ll be able to hear it on August 23rd, and for vinyl heads, there’ll be a double LP version to get your mitts on. And a 4xLP too. And triple CD. Of course, there’ll be a digital release too.

If you’re splashing out on the 4xLP, that’ll come with a 64 page hardcover book with essays from Josh Homme and Troy Van Leeuwen, of course, who he collaborated with. Non-collab essayists will also include Duff McKagan and Greg Dulli. There’ll be cool photos and other bits as well – you know how these things work.

Beggars Arkive (a sub of Beggars Banquet records) say: “Mark had been demoing songs for a new album, and he was booked to record at Abbey Road. It was a long-time dream of his to record in the legendary London studio, but since he never had the chance to do that, it’s fortuitous that the remastering for this release took place there, handled by Geoff Pesche. Mark had never been satisfied with the original cut of ‘Bubblegum’, so we are honoured to help make his dream come true posthumously.”

One of the discs is a remastered edition of ‘Here Comes That Weird Chill (Methamphetamine Blues, Extras & Oddities)’ EP with three bonus tracks. Another is all demos and unreleased bits

Homme says in his essay: “Mark’s early solo works are undeniably powerful. They’re sombre, fragile, breath-taking, beautiful and they’re more real than everyone else’s.”

Van Leeuwen says: “So these hotel demo sessions were basically forgotten – when I heard the news of Mark’s passing, these memories started rushing back to me. I searched through my archive of drives and somehow magically was able to open up these sessions. The original rough mixes are a real time capsule that stands up to the 20 years that have passed. It’s a true gift from Mark to those of us who love him and his unvarnished expression of beauty. With every listen, I am humbled and honoured to share his gift with you.”

More about the release and pre-orders, here.