Name: The Moon and the Melodies
Brand: Cocteau Twins, Harold Budd

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

4AD0642LP

Colour

Black

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2024-08-23

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

PIAS

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

0191400064218

Total Cap

Black LP

4AD0642CD

0191400064225

9999

Artist

Cocteau Twins

Harold Budd

Genre GB

New Wave / Post Punk

Label GB

Restored classics, rare finds, and sought-after releases. Whether you're a vinyl enthusiast or a tape collector, we have something for everyone.

Reissues

The influential 4AD label was started in 1980 by music enthusiasts Ivo Watts-Russell and Peter Kent with financial help from Beggars Banquet, whose record store chain the pair worked for. Originally called Axis, they released an initial series of four 7" singles before finding out that the name Axis was already being used by another label. They quickly came up with a new name, 4AD, inspired by typography on a flyer announcing their releases. Under Ivo Watts-Russell's guidance, drawing influence from other UK indie labels such as Beggars Banquet, Postcard Records and Factory, 4AD quickly established a unique identity thanks to both the cover designs of Vaughan Oliver/v23 and the label's unique numbering system.

In 1992, 4AD entered a highly publicized Stateside distribution deal with Warner Bros. Records, opening offices in New York headed up by Robin Hurley. The label was largely run from California for most of the decade after Ivo Watts-Russell moved to Los Angeles in the mid-90s. In November 1999 it was announced that Martin Mills had taken over as chairman and relocated its HQ to London.

Decoding their unique numbering system reveals various formats like mail-order only releases (4AD), LPs (CAD), MP3 downloads (EAD), posters (FAD), videos (VAD) and more. The numeric portion of their catalog numbers

Cocteau Twins were a Scottish post-punk/ethereal/dream pop band formed in 1981 in Grangemouth, Falkirk. Known for their unique sound and ethereal vocals, the band captivated audiences with their dreamlike melodies and atmospheric music. With a career spanning over 15 years, Cocteau Twins left an indelible mark on the music industry before disbanding in 1997. Their innovative approach to music continues to inspire artists today.
Throughout their career, Cocteau Twins released numerous critically acclaimed albums, including "Treasure," "Heaven or Las Vegas," and "Blue Bell Knoll." Their distinct blend of post-punk, ethereal, and dream pop genres created a mesmerizing sonic landscape that set them apart from other bands of their time.
Cocteau Twins' enchanting vocals provided by Elizabeth Fraser added another layer of beauty to their music. Her angelic voice combined with Robin Guthrie's atmospheric guitar work and Simon Raymonde's melodic bass lines created a truly magical listening experience.

Harold Budd, born in Los Angeles, California on May 24th, 1936 and passed away in Arcadia, California on December 8, 2020 due to complications from COVID-19. With over 30 solo recordings and collaborations under his belt, Harold's musical journey spanned from solo piano pieces to richly orchestrated compositions. His passion for jazz led him to pursue a degree in music composition after briefly playing drums with saxophonist Albert Ayler during his time in the Army. In 1978, he released his second record titled "The Pavilion of Dreams," which was inspired by Coltrane and published on Brian Eno's Obscure label. Harold remained musically active until late in his life.

Almost forty years after it was initially released, The Moon and the Melodies by Cocteau Twins and Harold Budd is being reissued on vinyl for the first time – remastered, from the original tapes, by Robin Guthrie himself.

The Moon and the Melodies is a singular record within the Cocteau Twins’ catalogue – unusually ethereal, even by their standards, and largely instrumental, guided by the free-form improvisations of Harold Budd, an ambient pioneer who had drifted into their orbit as if by divine intervention. Building on the atmospheric bliss of Victorialand, released earlier the same year, it signaled a possible future for the trio, yet it was a path they’d never take again.

Over the ensuing years, The Moon and the Melodies has attracted a passionate fan base. Its most atmospheric tracks routinely turn up in ambient DJ sets. ‘Sea, Swallow Me’ is one of the Cocteau Twins’ most streamed songs on Spotify, having found a new life on TikTok, where it serves as the soundtrack to innumerable expressions of hard-to-express melancholy.

For such a low-key affair, the album casts a long shadow – but Raymonde believes the record’s uniqueness stems directly from its humble, unpremeditated origins. “It captured a moment in time between friends that are enjoying making music together. Really, that’s the essence of it.” 

The Moon and the Melodies

Music GB

Discover The Moon and the Melodies by Cocteau Twins on vinyl, remastered by Robin Guthrie. A unique blend of ethereal sounds and ambient music. Label: 4AD.