2023 was a marquee year for immersive music–both for contemporary new releases and remixes of classic albums–and 2024 looks to continue that momentum, with more than five upcoming physical Blu-Ray or DVD releases already available to pre-order and nearly three times as many rumored or pending announcements.
In the article below, we speculate on twenty-four upcoming immersive releases likely to hit shelves before 2024 is out. It’s looking like a great time to be an immersive music fan!
Artist: Randy Newman, War, Average White Band, Gil Evans
Title: Quadio (Bundle #3)
Format: Blu-Ray
Immersive Mix By: ? (Quadraphonic)
Release Date: 1/19/24
In June 2023, Rhino/Warner unexpectedly revived their on-and-off Quadio series of ‘70s-era quadraphonic reissues on Blu-Ray disc. The second batch of releases hit shelves the following October, with the third bundle due out on January 19th. The four titles have already been revealed: War’s The World Is A Ghetto, Gil Evans’s Svengali, Randy Newman’s Good Old Boys, and Average White Band’s AWB.
Artist: Bruce Soord
Title: Caught In The Hum (2024)
Format: DVD
Immersive Mix By: Bruce Soord (5.1 Surround Sound)
Release Date: 2/2/24
In support of his third solo album Luminescence (2023), The Pineapple Thief’s frontman Bruce Soord recently embarked on a month-long tour of small venues in the EU and UK. Caught In The Hum captures one such performance, clocking in at over 80 minutes and including Bruce’s stories behind many of the songs. The audio was recorded and mixed from the live multitracks in stereo & 5.1 surround sound.
Artist: The Pineapple Thief
Title: It Leads To This (2024)
Format: Blu-Ray
Immersive Mix By: Bruce Soord (5.1 Surround Sound & Dolby Atmos)
Release Date: 2/9/24
One of the leading lights in Europe’s experimental rock domain, The Pineapple Thief were formed in 1999 by founder and chief songwriter Bruce Soord. It Leads To This is the band's 14th studio album, recorded between September 2020 and July 2023. Conceptually, the album represents band leader Bruce Soord’s efforts to better understand himself and the world around him during a time of global uncertainty. The Blu-Ray edition features high resolution stereo, Dolby Atmos and 5.1 DTS-HD surround mixes of both It Leads To This and the bonus album Y Aqui Estamos.
Artist: Gentle Giant
Title: The Missing Piece (1977)
Format: Blu-Ray
Immersive Mix By: Steven Wilson (5.1 Surround Sound & Dolby Atmos)
Release Date: 2/16/2024
Gentle Giant's acclaimed reissue campaign is set to continue in February 2023 with a new CD/Blu-Ray deluxe edition of 1977's The Missing Piece. Award-winning producer and musician Steven Wilson continues his association with the band, remixing the album in 5.1 surround sound and Dolby Atmos. The Missing Piece is a bit of a transitional work in the band’s catalog, with more commercially-viable songs like “I’m Turning Around” front-loaded while the experimental material like “Winning” or “For Nobody” was reserved for side two.
Artist: Def Leppard
Title: Diamond Star Halos (2022)
Format: Blu-Ray
Immersive Mix By: Steven Wilson (Dolby Atmos)
Release Date: 2/23/24
Released in May 2022, Diamond Star Halos was English rock band Def Leppard’s twelfth overall studio album and the first of new material issued in nearly a decade. It’s also their first album to receive an immersive mix, courtesy of Steven Wilson. Wilson’s Atmos mix was initially kept exclusive to the streaming services, but SuperDeluxeEdition.com and Mercury/UMG have joined forces to bring fans a limited-edition Blu-Ray audio release due out in February 2024.
Artist: Big Big Train
Title: The Likes Of Us (2024)
Format: Blu-Ray
Immersive Mix By: Bruce Soord (5.1 Surround Sound & Dolby Atmos)
Release Date: 3/1/24
Following the tragic passing of frontman David Longdon in 2021, Big Big Train returns in 2024 with a stunning new piece of work that retains all the band’s familiar unique elements. Issued through the InsideOut label, The Likes Of Us is their first full release with new frontman Alberto Bravin (ex-PFM). The CD/Blu-Ray edition contains 5.1 surround sound & Dolby Atmos mixes from The Pineapple Thief’s Bruce Soord.
Artist: Paul Young
Title: No Parlez (1983)
Format: Blu-Ray
Immersive Mix By: David Kosten (5.1 Surround Sound & Dolby Atmos)
Release Date: 3/15/24
Paul Young's solo debut No Parlez, released in 1983, was one of the most popular albums of the 1980s in the UK. Released in July 83, the album became a commercial phenomenon, taking up residence in the top 10 where it remained for an astonishing 32 consecutive weeks. The Blu-Ray audio release is the seventeenth entry in SuperDeluxeEdition.com’s “Surround Sound Series,” containing new 5.1 surround sound & Dolby Atmos mixes of the album by artist/producer David Kosten.
Artist: John Lennon
Title: Mind Games (1973)
Format: Blu-Ray
Immersive Mix By: Paul Hicks & Sam Gannon (5.1 Surround Sound & Dolby Atmos)
Release Date: June 2024
Apple Records recently revealed that a 6CD/2Blu-Ray “Ultimate Collection” of John Lennon’s 1973 classic Mind Games is due out in June 2024. As with the fantastic deluxe editions of Gimme Some Truth (2020) and Plastic Ono Band, the set will include revelatory new stereo and Dolby Atmos remixes from Paul Hicks and Sam Gannon.
Artist: Tears For Fears
Title: The Seeds Of Love (1989)
Format: Blu-Ray
Immersive Mix By: Steven Wilson (Dolby Atmos)
Release Date: TBD
Though fans may recall that The Seeds Of Love received a long-awaited deluxe reissue in October 2020–complete with a new 5.1 remix of the album by Steven Wilson–Wilson recently revealed via social media that he’d taken another crack at the album, this time in Dolby Atmos. This new Atmos mix will undoubtedly become available on the streaming services, but we’re hopeful for a Blu-Ray edition in the vein of 2022’s The Tipping Point or this past year’s acclaimed reissue of The Hurting (1983).
Artist: Yes
Title: Fragile (1971)
Format: Blu-Ray
Immersive Mix By: Steven Wilson (Dolby Atmos)
Release Date: TBD
With Yes’ back catalog now under the purview of Rhino Entertainment–Warner Brothers’ catalog division–the 2023 CD/LP/Blu-Ray Super Deluxe Edition of The Yes Album likely marked the beginning of a new reissue campaign. As such, it seems reasonable to speculate that a similar deluxe edition of 1971’s Fragile with a new Dolby Atmos mix from Steven Wilson will appear sometime in 2024.
Artist: Ultravox
Title: Lament (1984)
Format: DVD
Immersive Mix By: Steven Wilson (5.1 Surround Sound)
Release Date: TBD
Following 2023’s Quartet (1982) box set, it seems fair to speculate that Chrysalis/Parlophone’s ongoing Ultravox reissue campaign will continue with 1984’s Lament. Such a reissue would likely follow the same 5CD/DVD format as the last three releases, with the DVD containing new stereo & 5.1 remixes by Steven Wilson.
Artist: Howard Jones
Title: Human's Lib (1984), Dream Into Action (1985)
Format: ?
Immersive Mix By: Stephen W Tayler (5.1 Surround Sound), Bob Clearmountain (Dolby Atmos)
Release Date: TBD
Towards the end of 2023, synth-pop pioneer Howard Jones confirmed via social media that Cherry Red Records were preparing a series of back-catalog reissues featuring new immersive mixes by Stephen W Tayler in 5.1 surround sound and Bob Clearmountain in Dolby Atmos. Tayler was the original recording and mix engineer for Jones' first two studio albums–1984's Human's Lib and 1985's Dream Into Action–so it seems reasonable to speculate that these will be the first two titles in the series.
Artist: Storm Corrosion
Title: Storm Corrosion (2012)
Format: Blu-Ray
Immersive Mix By: Steven Wilson (Dolby Atmos)
Release Date: TBD
Steven Wilson has long been teasing a 10th anniversary edition of Storm Corrosion (2012), the experimental one-off collaboration with Opeth frontman Mikael Akerfeldt. Though the album was made available in 5.1 as part of the 2012 CD/Blu-Ray release, this upcoming reissue is set to include a brand new Dolby Atmos mix of the album.
Artist: Hawkwind
Title: In Search Of Space (1971)
Format: Blu-Ray
Immersive Mix By: Stephen W Tayler (5.1 Surround Sound)
Release Date: TBD
Following 2023’s massive 11-disc reissue of Space Ritual (1973), it appears that 1971’s Space Ritual is the next title from the band’s catalog due for the deluxe treatment. The box set will likely follow the same format, again with new stereo & 5.1 surround sound mixes from Stephen W Tayler.
Artist: Marillion
Title: This Strange Engine (1997)
Format: Blu-Ray
Immersive Mix By: Michael Hunter (5.1 Surround Sound)
Release Date: TBD
The ongoing reissue campaign covering Marillion’s eight albums made under the EMI banner finally concluded in 2023 with the deluxe edition of Seasons End (1989). Based on comments from guitarist Steve Rothery, it sounds as if the reissues will continue on to cover the band’s remaining catalog. If so, the next title in line would be 1997’s This Strange Engine.
Artist: Jethro Tull
Title: Bursting Out (1978)
Format: Blu-Ray
Immersive Mix By: Steven Wilson (5.1 Surround Sound)
Release Date: TBD
Following 2023’s massive The Broadsword & The Beast (1982) reissue, Ian Anderson has already confirmed that the acclaimed Jethro Tull 40th anniversary series will continue with the 1978 live album Bursting Out. The album was recorded during the European leg of the band’s tour supporting Heavy Horses (1978).
Artist: King Crimson
Title: In The Wake Of Poseidon, Lizard (1970)
Format: Blu-Ray
Immersive Mix By: Steven Wilson (Dolby Atmos)
Release Date: TBD
Following the conclusion of the acclaimed CD/DVD-A 40th anniversary series and the massive 1969 box (which features a new Dolby Atmos remix of In The Court Of The Crimson King), it looks like Steven Wilson will continue to revisit the early King Crimson catalog with new Atmos mixes. The Larks Tongues In Aspic (1973) reissue hit shelves in October 2023, so it seems reasonable to conclude that the remaining two titles teased in the image above (1970’s In The Wake Of Poseidon and Lizard) will follow sometime in 2024.
Artist: The Pineapple Thief
Title: Box Set #2 (2007-2014)
Format: Blu-Ray
Immersive Mix By: Bruce Soord (5.1 Surround Sound & Dolby Atmos)
Release Date: TBD
One our favorite releases of 2023 was The Pineapple Thief’s How Did We Find Our Way? 1999-2006 box set, covering the band's early years on the independent Cyclops label. It was billed as the first in a series of reissues, so the next set will likely cover from 2007’s What We Have Sown up to 2014’s Magnolia.
Artist: Frank Zappa
Title: Apostrophe (1974)
Format: Blu-Ray
Immersive Mix By: Karma Auger & Erich Gobel (5.1 Surround Sound & Dolby Atmos)
Release Date: TBD
Nearly one year after the acclaimed Waka/Wazoo reissue, The Zappa Family Trust and Universal Music Group joined forces once more to bring fans an equally-excellent 50th anniversary release of 1973’s Over-Nite Sensation. As such, it seems reasonable to speculate that a similarly-packed reissue of 1974’s Apostrophe will follow in 2024–containing not only new 5.1 surround and Dolby Atmos mixes by Karma Auger & Erich Gobel, but also Frank Zappa’s original quadraphonic mix.
Artist: Tears For Fears
Title: Everybody Loves A Happy Ending (2004)
Format: Blu-Ray
Immersive Mix By: Steven Wilson (5.1 Surround Sound & Dolby Atmos)
Release Date: TBD
Tears For Fears’ 2004 reunion album celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2024, no doubt fueling fan speculation about a reissue. It would certainly be amazing to see a standalone Blu-Ray release containing new 5.1 surround & Dolby Atmos mixes by Steven Wilson, as was done for The Hurting’s 40th anniversary in 2023.
Artist: Pink Floyd
Title: The Wall (1979)
Format: Blu-Ray
Immersive Mix By: James Guthrie (5.1 Surround Sound & Dolby Atmos)
Release Date: TBD
As demonstrated by the recent Animals (1977) and Dark Side Of The Moon (1973) reissues, Pink Floyd remain committed to high-resolution and immersive audio. Among the most anticipated releases of 2024 would undoubtedly be a long-rumored reissue of 1979’s The Wall, containing new 5.1 surround sound & Dolby Atmos mixes from James Guthrie.
Artist: Santana
Title: Borboletta (1974)
Format: Super Audio CD
Immersive Mix By: ? (Quadraphonic)
Release Date: TBD
Sony Japan’s acclaimed series of quadraphonic SACDs continued in 2023 with Carlos Santana & John McLaughlin’s Love Devotion Surrender (1973) and Santana’s Welcome (1973). Should the series continue on into 2024, the next candidate for release would likely be Santana’s 1974 studio album Borboletta.
Artist: Suede
Title: Dog Man Star (1994)
Format: Blu-Ray
Immersive Mix By: Steven Wilson (5.1 Surround Sound & Dolby Atmos)
Release Date: TBD
One of our favorite releases of 2023 was the SDE-exclusive Blu-Ray audio of Suede’s self-titled debut album, featuring new stereo, 5.1, and Dolby Atmos mixes from Steven Wilson. Given the success of that reissue, we're hopeful that SDE can collaborate with Demon Music Group on a similar release for 1994’s Dog Man Star–containing the classic songs “We Are The Pigs” and “The Wild Ones.”
Artist: Birdsong At Morning
Title: Vigil, Lumens (2008)
Format: Digital Download
Immersive Mix By: Alan Williams (5.1 Surround Sound)
Release Date: TBD
The first two volumes of Birdsong At Morning’s debut release Annals Of My Glass House–Bound and Heavens–were issued as 5.1 FLAC downloads through IAA’s shop throughout 2023. The remaining two releases, Vigil and Lumens, will follow at a to-be-determined date in 2024.
Artist: Fish
Title: Vigil In A Wilderness Of Mirrors (1990)
Format: Blu-Ray
Immersive Mix By: Andy Bradfield & Avril Mackintosh (Dolby Atmos)
Release Date: TBD
In 2021, ex-Marillion singer Fish announced upcoming reissues of his first two solo albums: 1990’s Vigil In A Wilderness Of Mirrors and 1991’s Internal Exile. It stands to reason that these reissues will follow in the same vein as last year’s 13th Star reissue, containing a Blu-Ray with a stereo remix by Callum Malcolm and a Dolby Atmos mix by Andy Bradfield & Avril Mackintosh.
