We’re still in the throes of summer, but it’s never too early to think about some of the archival music and reissues that have been released so far this year for the discerning music fan (And before the blink of an eye, it’ll be the holiday gift-giving season). The first half of 2025 has seen some interesting offerings by several heavy hitters for both die-hard and casual fans, with more to come in the second half from the likes of David Bowie, Nick Drake and Genesis. Meanwhile, here’s a rundown of releases currently available that mostly feature all the bells and whistles: remastered sound, attractive packaging, liner notes and, most importantly, previously unreleased tracks.
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd at Pompeii – MCMLXXII
Predating 1973’s The Dark Side of the Moon, Pink Floyd’s performance at the ancient Roman amphitheatre in Pompeii, Italy — featuring the classic lineup of David Gilmour, Roger Waters, Nick Mason and Richard Wright — has since become legend. More than five decades later, the film version of the concert was restored and digitally remastered in 4K. The release of a standalone live album, which includes performances of “Echoes” and “One of These Days,” from this important moment in Floyd’s history coincided with the film’s re-release.
INXS
Listen Like Thieves (40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition)
INXS’ fifth studio, which came out in 1985, proved to be the Australian band’s breakthrough release in the U.S., thanks to the Top 10 hit “What You Need.” The record was a turning point because it marked the beginning of INXS’ working relationship with producer Chris Thomas and yielded other beloved songs including the title cut, “Shine Like It Does” and “Kiss the Dirt. More importantly, Listen Like Thieves’ mix of sleek dance rock and funk provided the template for the group’s blockbuster Kick album two years later. This 40th anniversary 2-CD edition of Listen Like Thieves also features a brand new 2025 remix of the album, plus several B-sides, remixes and live recordings from that period.
The B-52’s
The Warner Reprise Years
The first eight records by the legendary Athens, Georgia, party band during their 13-year tenure with Warner Bros. and Reprise Records are finally collected in this 9-LP set. From their iconic 1979 self-titled debut album to 1992’s Good Stuff (and including the Mesopotamia EP and the Party Mix compilation), the collection, which has been pressed on colored vinyl, is guaranteed to liven up any shindig.
Grateful Dead
Gratest Hits
Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the famed jam band’s formation, the single-disc Gratest Hits — billed as the Grateful Dead’s “first real greatest hits” collection — strictly caters to the casual fan or first-timers who just want to hear the popular studio tracks. The new set delivers on that promise with the inclusion of classics like “Casey Jones,” “Truckin,’” “Friend of the Devil,” “Box of Rain” and “Touch of Grey.” A more adventurous listener might opt for previous Dead compilations with deeper cuts and the extended live performances, but for the uninitiated, Gratest Hits is a fairly serviceable introduction.
Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac 1975-1987
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Fleetwood Mac’s self-titled album — which marked the debut of Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks in the lineup — a new box set collection features the five studio albums recorded by the band’s most commercially successful and beloved configuration: Fleetwood Mac, Rumours, Tusk, Mirage and Tango in the Night.
Bruce Springsteen
Tracks II: The Lost Albums
Nearly 30 years after the release of Tracks, its long-awaited sequel has arrived, featuring seven previously unreleased albums by the Boss — from LA Garage Sessions ’83 to Perfect World (1994-2011) — and containing a total of 83 tracks. “The Lost Albums were full records, some of them even to the point of being mixed and not released,” Springsteen said in a press release. “I’ve played this music to myself and often close friends for years now. I’m glad you’ll get a chance to finally hear them.” Like its 1998 predecessor, Tracks II represents the Holy Grail for the Boss’ devoted following.
Jethro Tull
Still Living in the Past
Jethro Tull’s first-ever compilation, 1972’s Living in the Past, arrived at a time when the British band led by Ian Anderson was riding high off the success of the Aqualung album. This collection of singles, album tracks and outtakes became a success in its own right, featuring classic Tull cuts as “A Song for Jeffrey,” “Christmas Song,” “Teacher,” “Sweet Dream” and “The Witch’s Promise.” This new 5-CD/Blu-Ray set version of the original record contains new remixes of the songs by Steven Wilson along with the band’s 1970 concert performance at Carnegie Hall.
The Kinks
The Journey, Part 3
The third and final installment in the legendary British group’s anthology series marking their 60th anniversary, The Journey covers the Kinks’ latter output, particularly their tenure with RCA and Arista from 1977 to 1984. It was a productive period that resulted in a second wind of hits for the band, including “Destroyer,” “Better Days,” “Come Dancing,” and “(Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman.” The second disc of this compilation contains a previously unreleased 1993 Royal Albert Hall concert, showcasing the Kinks’ classic songs and material from their then-most recent record Phobia.
Sting
The Dream of the Blue Turtles (Expanded Edition)
Released 40 years ago, The Dream of the Blue Turtles launched Police frontman Sting’s successful solo career. Stylistically, the album marked a departure from his former band’s New Wave sound and went for a more sophisticated jazz-pop sound. It was a hit thanks to the songs “If You Love Somebody Set Them Free,” “Russians, “Love Is the Seventh Wave” and “Fortress Around Your Heart.” Marking the anniversary milestone, the album has been reissued as a digital release and accompanied by a B-side, remixes and a non-album track.
John Coltrane
A Love Supreme
The jazz legend’s spiritual and sublime masterpiece turned 60 earlier this year. To celebrate that anniversary, Impulse! Records released a limited-run diamond-clear vinyl pressing of A Love Supreme, which is an absolute must for any music fan regardless of the occasion or format.