The Blue Aeroplanes Magical Realism: Best Of The Blue Aeroplanes 1985-2025
Release Date: January 24, 2025
Label: Chrysalis
The Blue Aeroplanes soar with Magical Realism: Best Of The Blue Aeroplanes, the definitive anthology of their 40-year voyage.
Bristol’s art-rock pioneers, the Blue Aeroplanes, give fans a career-spanning retrospective with Magical Realism: Best Of The Blue Aeroplanes 1985-2025. Curated by the band themselves, this 23-track collection not only reaffirms their status as an influential force in post-punk and alternative music but also lets a new generation dive in to discover their magic.
Remastered by Phil Kinrade at AIR Mastering, Magical Realism brings fresh life to indie classics like “...And Stones” and “Jacket Hangs,” alongside fan favorites such as “Fun” and “Bury Your Love Like Treasure.” The collection also showcases more recent gems like “Dead Tree! Dead Tree!,” a standout from their live performances. But it doesn’t stop there. The anthology digs even deeper with two bonus tracks: “Showing Off To Impress The Girls,” a recording by pre-Aeroplanes group Art Objects, and “I Will Love You,” an exclusive demo of a brand-new song that hints at what’s to come. For fans old and new, these additions are a reminder of the Blue Aeroplanes’ importance and influence and their knack for blending poetic lyrics with angular, art-rock soundscapes.
Above all, Magical Realism serves as an intimate portrait of the band’s evolution. The accompanying 24-page booklet features rare photographs, lyrics, and track-by-track notes penned by frontman Gerard Langley, giving us behind-the-scenes insights into the stories and inspirations behind their music. The package is rounded out with cover art by Ann Sheldon, the artist responsible for many of the band’s visuals, making it extra special for longtime fans.
As Bristol’s longest-running band, the Blue Aeroplanes have left a heavy mark on indie and alt rock, inspiring big names like R.E.M., Radiohead, and Manic Street Preachers. Their blend of art, poetry, and punk ethos continues to resonate, and Magical Realism is a celebration of their legacy. For anyone who’s ever been captivated by their singular style or ready to discover it for the first time, this anthology is a reminder of why the Blue Aeroplanes remain an art-rock institution, and why their flight path shows no signs of grounding anytime soon.