Back catalogue: Rock (All)

Review: NOW 12? 80s: 1983 - Part Two is a jam-packed for fans of extended mixes and 80s nostalgia. This 4CD set brings together 49 tracks, offering a mix of iconic hits and lesser-known gems, all in their extended or remixed forms. From Wham!'s energetic 'Wham Rap! (Enjoy What You Do?)' to the undeniable groove of New Order's 'Blue Monday', this compilation is filled with dancefloor-ready anthems. The set excels in its variety, mixing familiar chart-toppers like Spandau Ballet's 'Gold' and Lionel Richie's 'All Night Long' with deep cuts like Joe Jackson's atmospheric 'Steppin' Out' and Tracey Ullman's playful 'Breakaway'. Glamorous pop sits alongside punk-infused tunes, with bands like Public Image Limited and Echo & the Bunnymen adding a post-punk edge to the lineup. While the tracklist is dominated by pop and synth-heavy hits, the inclusion of disco classics like KC & The Sunshine Band's 'Give It Up' and Divine's 'Love Reaction' adds a touch of 80s dancefloor magic. This collection is a great snapshot of the era, featuring extended versions that give these songs even more room to shine. Affordable and well-curated, NOW 12? 80s: 1983 - Part Two is perfect for the fans of the deacde.

Review: Featuring extended versions of iconic tracks from this vital year in pop, funk and new wave, the compilation kicks off with Queen's hard-to-find extended mix of 'I Want to Break Free' and moves on to Tina Turner's extended 'What's Love Got To Do With It' and Ray Parker Jr.'s 'Ghostbusters' remix. Disc two dives into the electro-disco world, featuring anthems like Sister Sledge's 'Lost in Music' and The Pointer Sisters' 'Jump (For My Love)', alongside cult classics such as Divine's 'You Think You're a Man' and Bronski Beat's 'Why?' The third disc shifts to more experimental sounds with tracks from Tears for Fears, Propaganda and Cocteau Twins, offering a rich blend of synth-pop and post-punk. The final disc brings the big hitters, with the Annihilation mix of Frankie Goes to Hollywood's 'Two Tribes', Duran Duran's 'The Wild Boys' and the extended mix of Band Aid's 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' A year rich with groundbreaking tunes, coupled with an emerging remix culture, make for some truly fascinating listening.

Review: The NOW series was a rite of passage for many young music lovers. The expertly curated releases came several times a year and gave you an update as to what was hot and what was not - a mad idea in this day and age when everyone can access, if not own, everything ever released the moment it drops. The brand has pivoted well in the digital age and is still putting out collections of sounds with a genre or era focus that are handy and enjoyable reminders. This bumper collection on triple green vinyl is all about 1974 with tunes like 'Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me' and 'Whatever Gets You Thru The Night' still well worth a singalong.

Review: You could probably write a dissertation, if not full thesis, on the symbolism of this album. The biggest name in British chart pop compilations, NOW, turns its hand to spotlighting less obvious tracks from the decade that gave birth to the entire franchise. What this reflects, in terms of what constitutes 'popular' music today, and the questionable relevance of the UK Top 40, is a fascinating train of thought.
Musically speaking, the curators have done a decent job in selecting a broad range of artists, bands and sounds from the fertile grounds of the 1980s. Plenty here are household names - The Stranglers, Devo, Siouxsie & The Banshees, The Smiths, Eurythmics, Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart. Nevertheless, you won't find 'Sweet Dreams' on the track list, and instead rarer archive material is allowed to shine: 'Vicious Games' rather than 'Oh Yeah' by Yello, The Cure's stunning 'A Forest' - we could go on.

Review: NOW's ongoing 'Yearbook' series, which offers a wealth of hits from a specific year across four action-packed discs, moves on to 1977 - a year when disco and punk were on the rise. There's plenty of the former showcased here - think Chic, Candi Staton, Donna Summer, the Trammps, Thelma Houston and Marvin Gaye - as well as classic and blue-eyed soul from the likes of Boz Scaggs and the Drifters. Punk and alternative rock of the period are relatively well catered for too, thanks to hits from the Ramones, the Stranglers, The Jam and the Clash. Throw in a host of familiar mainstream pop and rock favourites, as well as a clutch of curiosities (Mike Oldfield's 'Portsmouth') and you have a faithfully expansive reflection of what British pop fans were listening to in 1977.

Review: NOW Presents...12" 80s: Part One - 1980-1982 is perfect for fans of the era and collectors who like the best bang for the buck in a great package. This stunning 5xLP box set features 44 iconic 12", extended, and remixed versions of classic tracks from the early 80s, each pressed on a different vibrant transparent vinyl: red, yellow, green, blue and purple. Kicking off with Blondie's infectious 'Call Me', the collection encapsulates the essence of 1980-1982 with tracks that defined dancefloors, including Grace Jones' sultry 'Love Is The Drug' and Loleatta Holloway's 'Love Sensation'. The set also showcases beloved hits from artists like Olivia Newton-John, Earth, Wind & Fire and The Specials, alongside synth-pop staples from Soft Cell and Duran Duran. Each side of vinyl brings warmth and depth to these timeless tracks, the packaging is elegant, ideal for both display and enjoyment and with its limited edition status and a wealth of classic tracks, this box set is a serious celebration of 80s music. Getting these extended versions separate on vinyl would be quite a task to take on, but thankfully, NOW has done the hard work for us.

Review: NOW That's What I Call The 80s is a comprehensive triple LP that encapsulates one of music's most influential decades. Spanning pop, new wave, and rock, this compilation delivers a nostalgic journey through the 1980s with a collection of iconic tracks that defined the era. The first record kicks off with Queen's anthemic 'I Want To Break Free' and moves through chart-toppers like The Police's 'Every Breath You Take' and Eurythmics' 'Sweet Dreams', Duran Duran's 'Rio' and A-ha's 'Take On Me', ensuring that synthpop fans are well catered to. On the second LP, the collection dives into the infectious energy of the decade with hits like Culture Club's 'Karma Chameleon,' Dexys Midnight Runners' 'Come On Eileen,' and the quintessential pop anthem 'Never Gonna Give You Up' by Rick Astley. Adam & The Ants, Nena, and Kylie Minogue also make strong appearances, showing the diversity of 80s pop. The final record delivers powerful rock and pop-rock anthems, including Bruce Springsteen's 'Dancing In The Dark' and Bon Jovi's 'Livin' On A Prayer.' The album closes with new wave classics like New Order's 'Blue Monday' and Frankie Goes To Hollywood's'Relax.' This well-rounded selection of tracks cover the decade's wide-ranging musical trends. Whether you're reliving memories or discovering these hits for the first time, NOW That's What I Call The 80s provides an essential soundtrack to the era.

Review: This compilation serves as a sonic time capsule, collecting the raw energy and diversity a 70s scene with its roots in the UK's suburban music scene. Across three LPs, it highlights punk, post-punk, new wave and ska with an expertly curated tracklist that celebrates both iconic anthems and underground gems. Kicking off with explosive tracks like 'London Calling' and 'Blitzkrieg Bop', the first side sets the tone with pure punk energy. From the urgency of The Undertones 'Teenage Kicks' to the melancholic beauty of Joy Division's 'Love Will Tear Us Apart', it's a journey through the era's emotional spectrum. The inclusion of The Cure's 'Boys Don't Cry' and XTC's 'Making Plans For Nigel' shows the post-punk shift toward introspection and innovation. The second LP leans into eclecticism, blending punk-fueled energy to melodic classics. It captures the intersection of rebellion and refinement. Tracks like Martha And The Muffins' 'Echo Beach' and Pretenders 'Brass In Pocket' add a touch of sophistication with a broader palette of sounds. Finally, the third LP celebrates the ska revival and early synth-pop with The Specials 'Gangsters', English Beat's 'Mirror In The Bathroom' and UB40's 'Food For Thought', before transitioning into more futuristic sounds like Gary Numan's 'Are 'Friends' Electric?' and The Buggles 'Video Killed The Radio Star'. Ending with a nod to the dawn of a new musical era, this collection balances nostalgia with a depth not many others get close to.

Review: NOW - Yearbook 1977 takes us back to a diverse and vibrant year in pop with 80 tracks across 4 CDs, presented in a special hardback edition with a 28-page booklet. The collection opens with Queen's iconic anthem 'We Are The Champions' and continues with hits like Status Quo's 'Rockin' All Over The World' and Elvis Presley's posthumous #1 'Way Down'. Punk and new wave shine on Disc Two with The Clash's 'White Riot', The Ramones' 'Sheena Is A Punk Rocker' and Elvis Costello's 'Watching The Detectives'. Other highlights include Paul Simon, Santana and the Yes ballad 'Wonderous Stories'. Disco dominates Disc Three, with Donna Summer's groundbreaking'I Feel Love', Boney M's debut 'Daddy Cool' and Chic's infectious 'Dance, Dance, Dance'. Soul classics from Marvin Gaye, Deniece Williams, and The Commodores' "Easy" round out this era-defining section. The final disc features Paul McCartney & Wings' mega-hit 'Mull of Kintyre' alongside smooth pop from Olivia Newton-John, Billy Ocean's 'Red Light Spells Danger' and easy-listening staples like Manhattan Transfer's 'Chanson D'Amour'. The collection closes on a nostalgic note with Mike Oldfield's 'Portsmouth' and the Brighouse & Rastrick Brass Band's 'The Floral Dance'. A superb celebration of one of pop music's most exciting years.