David Bowie‘s notorious and previously leaked ‘lost’ 2001 album Toy is set to finally get an official release.
The album features re-recorded and revamped versions of some of Bowie’s much earlier tracks. It was due to be released as a follow-up to 1999’s ‘Hours…’ but was ultimately abandoned after a dispute between Bowie and his then-label Virgin.
Back in 2001, during a virtual chat with fans, Bowie discussed the release of Toy, explaining: “I’m finding EMI/Virgin seem to have a lot of scheduling conflicts this year, which has put an awful lot on the back burner, Toy is finished and ready to go, and I will make an announcement as soon as I get a very real date. Meantime, I’m already started writing and recording for another album. So far I have to say it’s back to experimental. But knowing me, it doesn’t mean that’s how it’ll turn out. I shall be writing and recording throughout the summer, but daddyfying is really my priority at the moment.”
The album was actually leaked online in 2011 and now a decade later it will get an official release as part of Bowie’s new Era Five box set, full details of which are coming later today (September 29).
Bowie’s official Twitter account wrote: “Depending where you are on the planet, if it’s 29th September you might be streaming the radio edit of ‘You’ve Got A Habit Of Leaving’ from the forthcoming ‘Toy’ album, via your favourite streaming service, More details regarding that and the rest of the Era Five box, later today.”
Depending where you are on the planet, if it’s 29th September you might be streaming the radio edit of You’ve Got A Habit Of Leaving from the forthcoming Toy album, via your favourite streaming service. More details regarding that and the rest of the Era Five box, later today. pic.twitter.com/0eD2Q0GaUo
— David Bowie Official (@DavidBowieReal) September 29, 2021
Fans should also expect more David Bowie releases in the future as recently the estate of David Bowie has agreed on a new deal with Warner Music Group that will see the company overseeing his full back catalogue of albums.
Warner Music previously held worldwide rights to the music that was released by Bowie between 1968 and 1999 (up to his October 1999 album hours…) after they acquired the Parlophone Label Group in 2013. This new licensing agreement with Bowie’s estate now means that Warner Music also has the rights to the artist’s back catalogue of music between 2000 and 2016, the year of his death.
The late artist’s albums Heathen, Reality, The Next Day, and ★’(Blackstar) are among the works that will come into the Warner Music fold in 2023. They were originally released via Sony Music.
You can listen to the radio edit of “You’ve Got A Habit Of Leaving” below:
