After several mini-albums, the group exploded in popularity among the London underground, leading to a deal with 4AD, a label the group worshipped and took immense influence from (the band named themselves after a line a Siouxsie & The Banshees song). To kickstart the group’s notoriety stateside and in Japan, the label cobbled together all the mini-albums into one compilation.
In an interview with Melody Maker during their come-up, Lush‘s guitarist and vocalist Emma Anderson said, “I remember when I couldn’t play, I wasn’t in a band, didn’t know anyone else who could play, and now we’ve got a record out on 4AD. I sometimes find it impossible to come to terms with what’s happening.” This statement sums up the naivety and pure energy of Lush‘s first major release, “Gala”.
Lush’s greatest strength lies in the intermingling harmonies of lead singer Miki Berenyi and Anderson, which both complement and crash over one another like ocean waves. The Cocteau Twins influence is heavy here, with all the vocals becoming barely discernible in the mix, swallowed up by the colossal guitars and fat ’80s drum beats. The influence grew with their follow-up “Spooky”, produced by Cocteau’s Robin Guthrie, which divided fans. With more production power behind it, the band shines; however, Guthrie’s touch is heavy, getting scarily close to the Twins’ sound. For the original, untouched listen, start with “Gala”.
Lush’s “Gala” was the band’s debut compilation album, comprising their earliest releases “Scar” (1989), “Mad Love” (1990), and “Sweetness and Light” (1990) in reverse chronological order, plus two additional tracks (a cover version of ABBA’s “Hey Hey Helen” and the extended Robin Guthrie mix of The Scar track “Scarlet”). It is considered one of the foundational works in the early shoegazing movement. The band’s line-up at the time was Miki Berenyi, Emma Anderson, Chris Acland, and Steve Rippon. Lush broke up in 1996, in part because of Acland’s suicide. They briefly reunited in 2015 and 2016 to tour and release the new EP, “Blind Spot“, before splitting again.
Originally released in 1990 as the band’s introduction to the US and Japanese markets, the compilation’s 35th anniversary is being celebrated with a 2025 reissue. Back in print for the first time since 1990, both the standard and deluxe editions are rounded out with 2025 Kevin Vanbergen remasters of the original tracklisting, deluxe edition artwork designed by Chris Bigg featuring original artwork by v23 (Vaughan Oliver and Chris Bigg), and a new biography written by Jenny Hval.
The “Gala” 35th Anniversary Edition follows the 2023 remasters of Lush’s three studio albums “Spooky”, “Split”, and “Lovelife”. Last year, Lush also partnered with the Criterion Channel on the release of A Far From Home Movie, a short film created by bassist Phil King and shared in memory of Chris Acland, which compiles candid Super8 footage taken by King during Lush’s tours from 1992-1996.
The reissue will be available as a deluxe box set, The box set will feature three coloured 12-inches and one 7-inch.as well as via regular vinyl, CD, and cassette reissues. All versions come out November 14th via 4AD Records. 4AD is also releasing some new limited edition Lush merchandise—including two T-shirts, pin badges, and posters—to go with the reissue.
The Fat Angel Sings 