Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds announce B-Sides & Rarities Part II, share Vortex

A follow-up to 2005’s B-Sides & Rarities.

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds have announced the second instalment of B-Sides & Rarities, slated for release on 22 October.

The 27-track project has been compiled by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis. It features rare and unreleased music recorded between 2006 and 2020, including first recordings of tracks such as Skeleton Tree, Girl In Amber and Bright Horses. The collection will be released on double vinyl, double CD, deluxe double CD and all digital platforms.

It follows the first B-Sides & Rarities album, which was released in 2005. Parts one and two of B-Sides and Rarities will also be released as a limited edition deluxe seven-vinyl boxset. The boxset will feature 83 rare tracks and exclusive sleeve notes.

Speaking on the new album in a statement, Cave said: “I always liked the original B-Sides & Rarities more than any of our other albums. It’s the only one I’d listen to willingly. It seems more relaxed, even a bit nonsensical in places, but with some beautiful songs throughout. There is something, too, about the smallness of certain songs that is closer to their original spirit.”

“B-Sides & Rarities Part II continues this strange and beautiful collection of lost songs from the Bad Seeds. I love the final side of the last disc because it reveals the small and fragile beginnings of some of my favourite Bad Seeds songs,” he added. “Waiting For You complete with bizarre ‘canning factory’ rhythm track, a gorgeous Life Per Se deemed too sad for Skeleton Tree, and Earthlings that some consider the finest track of the Ghosteen sessions.

B-Sides & Rarities Part II leads with Vortex, a track written and recorded in 2006 by Nick Cave, Warren Ellis, Martyn Casey and Jim Sclavunos. According to the album’s press notes, the song remained unreleased as the band could not decide whether to bill it as Grinderman or the Bad Seeds.

Pre-order B-Sides & Rarities Part II here and listen to Vortex below.