R.E.M.'s New Adventures in Hi-Fi to get 25th anniversary reissue

24 August 2021, 14:41 | Written by Cerys Kenneally

(News)

(R.E.M.)

R.E.M.'s 1996 album New Adventures in Hi-Fi is getting a 25th anniversary reissue with b-sides and rarities, new linear notes, and written contributions from Patti Smith, Thom Yorke and more.

New Adventures in Hi-Fi was released in 1996 as R.E.M.'s 10th studio album, and today (24 August) a 25th anniversary reissue has been announced alongside an alternate version of "Leave".

Michael Stipe says of the alternate version, "I actually might prefer this version to the one that's on the record… Well, I wouldn’t say I prefer it, it just tells a different story with the lyric."

The 25th anniversary reissue will include the newly remastered album tracks, 13 b-sides and rarities, and a 64-minute outdoor projection film (which was shown on buildings in five cities to promote the original release in 1996).

New Adventures in Hi-Fi will also be accompanied by a 52-page book featuring previously unseen archival photographs, new liner notes from journalist Mark Blackwell, reflections from R.E.M. members, Patti Smith, Thom Yorke and producer Scott Litt.