ABC – THE LEXICON OF LOVE 40th Anniversary Edition

In celebration of the 40th anniversary of ABC’s The Lexicon Of Love – one of the most revered albums of the 1980s – it is being reissued as a 4LP and Blu-ray box set as well a stand-alone half-speed remaster LP of the original album.

To be released on 4 August, the 4-LP/Blu-Ray celebratory edition, overseen by Martin Fry, contains the half-speed Abbey Road remaster by Miles Showell and a further three records putting material on vinyl for the first time including the album performed live at Hammersmith Odeon in 1982 and a premiere commercial release of the ‘Special Remix’ of ‘The Look Of Love’.

The blu-ray contains a brand new Dolby Atmos mix of the original album by esteemed artist, producer and writer Steven Wilson, and for the time first-ever on blu-ray, the group’s 1983 55-minute espionage thriller Mantrap, directed by Julien Temple. Restored in HD, viewers can thrill in the James Bond-style caper following the group on tour behind the-then Iron Curtain.

All housed in a stunning spined double-gatefold sleeve, the set also includes a brand new essay by Martin Fry and out-take photographs from the famous cover session by Gered Mankowitz. And telling the story of the album is Daryl Easlea – co-curator and author of the set.

A special stand-alone Blu-ray of the audio content of that disc will be available exclusively through Super Deluxe Edition, and to celebrate the release, a series of digital EPs are available to stream and download – ‘Poison Arrow’ on 14 July, ‘The Look Of Love’ on 21 July and ‘All of My Heart’ on 28 July ahead of the album release on 4 Aug. Steven Wilson’s new stereo mix of the album and instrumentals will be available on digital platforms that day also.

Few albums define a particular era as does The Lexicon Of Love. It’s embedded deep in the fabric of popular culture. Namechecked, referenced and, now, frequently in “best of all time” polls, the album opened up the 80s wide, in full, glorious Technicolor. In 1982, ABC became the toast of the world with this album. It also launched the production career of Trevor Horn. Like the greatest landmark albums, it has transcended its origins and is simply there, an ever-evolving testament to its marriage of youth, wit, creativity, technology, emotion, masterplan and happy accident.

The Lexicon Of Love 40th Anniversary Edition is released 4 August. Pre-order via: https://abc.lnk.to/LexiconOfLove