Gift (The 4AD Years): Limited Transparent Red Vinyl 3LP

Commemorating their ‘4AD years’ (1983-1984) forty years on, the mysteriously enchanting group returns now with a brand-new release entitled Gift: The 4AD Years, out 9 May.

The extraordinary impact Xmal Deutschland had upon British audiences in the early Eighties is difficult to convey forty years on. A spell was cast by the staccato rhythms, unmediated channels and mysterious (to us) language of their music, and by the vision and strength of the women involved. Their breakthrough support slot with Cocteau Twins and first two albums with 4AD dazzled and dug deep, speaking in tones and temperatures unlike any band before or since. “And at some point, it seemed to people we just...disappeared”, muses singer Anja Huwe. “So this myth of Xmal Deutschland just got bigger and bigger over the years…”

Gift, which will fascinate newcomers just as it feeds the faithful, is brimming with presence. And if the word “gift” in German slyly relates to a kind of poison, nobody said this music was all sweetness and light. Even if its radiance resonates, four decades later. Xmal Deutschland’s 4AD years were a bold and bewitching boomerang. The magic’s back.

The limited-edition 3xLP boxset contains 2025 Abbey Road remasters of their two albums released with the label (the feverish Fetsich and titanic Tocsin), as well as tracks off other related releases and EPs including Incubus Succubus II and Qual, creating a package pulsating with power and poise. Gift’s striking cover artwork — featuring photography by Peter Schulte — was designed by Timothy O’Donnell, based on original art by 23 Envelope. It accompanies original sleeve photography by Nigel Grierson. Rounding out the package is an additional photo booklet containing images by Kevin Cummins, Paul Slattery, Sheila Rock, and more, as well as text by Chris Roberts.

3LP  Tracklisting

Fetisch

A1. Qual

A2. Geheimnis

A3. Young Man

A4. In Der Nacht

A5. Orient

B1. Hand In Hand

B2. Kaempfen

B3. Danthem

B4. Boomerang

B5. Stummes Kind

Tocsin

C1. Mondlicht

C2. Eiland

C3. Reigen

C4. Tag für Tag

D1. Augen-blick

D2. Begrab Mein Herz

D3. Nachtschatten

D4. Xmas in Australia

D5. Derwisch

Incubus Succubus II

E1. Incubus Succubus II

E2. Vito

Qual

F1. Qual - 12” Remix

F2. Zeit

F3. Sehnsucht