PRE-ORDER: Anna Domino - East And West + Singles & Demos (DELUXE EDITION) [CD]

Anna Domino’s seminal and influential debut project, East And West, was originally released as a 5-track mini album in 1984 while Anna was living in downtown New York, sharing the neighbourhood with the likes of Brian Eno, Talking Heads and Laurie Anderson, roaring with creative purpose as the city decayed around her. Described by Pitchfork as “The Velvet Underground & Nico of avant-pop”, it was the undeniable result of the era’s fruitful no-wave and post-punk scenes and a stone-cold classic pop record, with a vocalist who floats above it all like the elusive host of a glamorous party. This reissue collects together the tracks from the original release with some of the key singles from the period.

In the years since East and West, Anna Domino has achieved a cult status - becoming synonymous with the minimal pop/cold wave genres and a key touchstone of 80s avant-pop. She has been referenced by contemporary artists such as Clairo, James K, HTRK, Carla Del Forno, Astrid Sonne, Horsegirl, Smerz and many others.

The new reissue includes liner notes by Shaad D'Souza, alongside curated newspaper clippings and photographs from Anna's personal collection. The CD format of this reissue also includes 7 exclusive unreleased demos, digitised from Anna’s original 4-track tapes. Included in these are 6 early versions of songs from East And West and one completely new track ‘Happy To Go’. Much has been made of Anna’s idiosyncratic, minimalistic and avant-garde approach to pop songwriting and it is remarkable how much of that is already present in these early recordings. A unique document of her creative process.