More than two decades after its original release, The Joy of Sing-Sing feels less like an overlooked curiosity and more like one of the great lost British albums of its era. The Joy Of Sing-Sing reissue will be released on Kanine Records in the US and the band’s own Aerial Records in the UK on October 23rd, 2026. It has been remastered by Kevin Vanbergen (Lush, Pixies, Radiohead) and has new artwork by acclaimed designer Chris Bigg - celebrated for his long creative partnership with Vaughan Oliver. The album will be released in the US on limited edition orange glitter vinyl and comes with an mp3 download that includes B-sides, demos and rare recordings.
When Lush came to an abrupt end in 1996 following the tragic death of drummer Chris Acland, guitarist and songwriter Emma Anderson wasn't looking to recreate the past. She was searching for an entirely new musical partnership. A mutual friend suggested she meet singer-songwriter Lisa O'Neill (not the Irish folk singer of the same name), who had recently appeared on Locust's Morning Light and was looking for a full-time collaborator. Unknown to either of them, Emma already owned - and loved - the album.
Their first meeting, over a drink, sparked an immediate creative connection. Within weeks they were writing together, united by a love of sophisticated pop, dreamlike atmospheres and leftfield electronica. With producer Mark Van Hoen, who had worked with Lisa on Morning Light, they quickly forged the distinctive sound that would become Sing-Sing.
Remarkably, Sing-Sing never sounded like a post-Lush band. Rather than revisiting shoegaze, Anderson and O'Neill created something altogether more understated and cinematic: shimmering electronic textures, hypnotic melodies and exquisitely restrained vocals that felt equally indebted to classic pop and forward-thinking electronica.
Time has only strengthened the album's reputation. Long cherished by those who discovered it first time around, The Joy of Sing-Sing has steadily been recognised as one of the hidden gems of early-2000s British independent music. In today's landscape - where dream-pop, shoegaze and beautifully crafted alternative pop have found a new generation of listeners - it sounds remarkably contemporary.
“Sing-Sing are using the whole run of studio technology to make a tight, interesting, and great-sounding pop record.” - PITCHFORK
“O'Neill is a matchless partner for Anderson, as their melodies vocally intertwine to create sheer bliss.” - ALL MUSIC
“A synth sound that is influenced by both ’60s pop and ’80s dance that manages to sound fresh.” - POP MATTERS
