The announcement of the 2025 reissue of Ultravox’s seminal compilation, The Collection, has generated considerable buzz, and the final product—specifically the expansive 2 LP vinyl record release—delivers a presentation worthy of the band’s legacy. I know I was excited as all get out, as it seems as if 1980s music has been largely passed over for 2000s re-issues by the various labels this year. This album, which originally chronicled the band’s most successful era with Midge Ure, remains the definitive overview of their synth-pop mastery, featuring iconic tracks like “Vienna,” “Dancing with Tears in My Eyes,” and “The Voice.”
Released by Chrysalis Records, this set is a celebration of the band’s artistic peak. The move to a 2 LP format for this compilation is crucial, as it allows the original album’s dynamic range and track spacing to breathe, minimizing inner groove distortion and ensuring a superior listening experience compared to previous single-disc vinyl pressings. While specific mastering details are often the make-or-break element for audiophiles, the careful approach taken by the band and the label preserves the punchy electronic rhythms and the crystalline clarity of Ure’s vocals. This is the closest thing that we have heard to what fans back in the eighties would have when they first listened to the band. The Collection translates the cold, atmospheric soundscapes of the early 80s perfectly to modern listeners; I can definitely see generation Alpha finding tracks like Dancing With Tears in My Eyes or Reap The Wild Wind to include on their new Tiktoks.
For fans looking to upgrade their worn CD copies from all those years back or for new listeners eager to experience this music on its most satisfying physical format, The Collection’s 2025 reissue is a must buy. Mark your calendars: this highly anticipated vinyl set becomes widely available on December 5th, just in time for the holidays, and promises to be the definitive way to own this collection. For completists, make sure to visit Ultravox’s website for a curated collection of other iterations of this release. The Collection will also be available at your favorite online vinyl retailer.
Rating: 9.3/10
Ultravox – The Collection 2LP Deluxe Edition (Vinyl Record) / 2025 Chrysalis Records / 14 Tracks / Facebook / Chrysalis Records
