Bruce Springsteen Set To Issue Seven Shelved Albums Of Unreleased Music

Springsteen Set To Release Seven Shelved Albums Of Unheard Songs

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Bruce Springsteen has decided to unseal his musical archives, gifting fans an unprecedented release with Tracks II: The Lost Albums, a massive box set featuring seven full-length albums comprising 83 tracks, of which 74 have never seen official release. Scheduled for release on June 27, this expansive collection offers a striking journey through Springsteen’s career, capturing moments from his artistic evolution spanning 1983 through 2018.

For years, Springsteen devotees have speculated about the trove of unreleased material, occasionally teased by the Boss himself. Yet the sheer scope of “Tracks II” surpasses even the most optimistic fan expectations. I remember being completely blown away when I first heard the news of the original Tracks release in 98. I was one of those hardcore Springsteen fans who would dive deep into record stores in New York’s Greenwich Village looking for stuff that had never been released before but coudl be found on bootleg vinyl albums. I paid a lot of money for those records, often filled with horrible sound quality. In the ’70s and ’80s, Springsteen did not release a lot of music, so it was hardcore fans like myself who were always trying to find the stuff nobody ever heard. I really wish that he had released stuff like this back then when I was younger. Nonetheless, I’m happy it’s coming out now.

Organized distinctly into seven separate albums, each with unique musical and thematic characteristics, the set includes pivotal creative explorations such as the highly anticipated “LA Garage Sessions ’83,” consisting of 18 unreleased songs from the sessions that eventually yielded the blockbuster “Born in the U.S.A.” Fans have circulated bootlegs like “Fugitive’s Dream” and “Don’t Back Down on Our Love” for decades; now they finally receive official recognition.

Perhaps the most intriguing inclusion is the “Streets of Philadelphia Sessions,” an experimental project from Springsteen’s early ’90s period, directly influenced by his Academy Award-winning single “Streets of Philadelphia” from Jonathan Demme’s acclaimed film. Initially shelved due to Springsteen’s concerns about lyrical resonance and audience connection following reflective works like “Tunnel of Love,” this 10-track album intriguingly incorporates drum machines and hip-hop-inflected production, marking a rare stylistic departure.

Additional albums like “Faithless,” which stems from an unrealized film project, and the country-flavored collection “Somewhere North of Nashville,” illustrate Springsteen’s wide-ranging artistry and willingness to push boundaries beyond his familiar heartland rock. “Inyo,” with evocative titles like “Ciudad Juarez” and “The Aztec Dance,” suggests a creative embrace of the cultural landscapes along America’s southern border, while “Twilight Hours” ventures into lush orchestration and classic pop sensibilities rarely associated with Springsteen’s canon. The collection concludes with “Perfect World,” a compilation he describes as a spontaneous assemblage rather than an intentional album.

The timing of this extraordinary release naturally prompts reflection on Springsteen’s motivations. At 75, he may feel an urgency to present a fuller picture of his storied legacy, offering devoted fans a deeper insight into his creative processes and previously hidden artistic avenues. While some critics argue that Springsteen’s outspoken political views have alienated segments of his fan base, potentially diminishing the enthusiastic reception such a collection might have once garnered, the overwhelming volume of unreleased content remains undeniably compelling.

On a closing note, we must remember the fact that Bruce Springsteen sold his publishing rights recently which sort of fuels many questions about this release. Was it always Springsteen’s attention to release this material even if he still owned the publishing rights or, is it because of the sheer amount of money that he was paid for those rights that the new owners trying to capitalize on? Nonetheless, whatever the reasons, and I tend to believe that if Bruce didn’t want this material out, it wouldn’t be out there, I am really happy and looking forward to hearing seven new Bruce Springsteen albums.