New posts on Oasis’ official social media accounts have sent fans wild with speculation that the Manchester band are set to reunite this week. But a new announcement made today could provide answers to the cryptic messages.
On Monday night, a video on Oasis’ Instagram sent fans into an uproar, showing Sawmill Studios where the band first recorded their groundbreaking debut, Definitely Maybe, 30 years ago.
That message was followed on Wednesday evening by another video featuring the iconic Oasis logo and video clips of Liam and Noel Gallagher talking about the album.
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The clips sparked widespread speculation that the brothers might reunite and bring Oasis back together for the first time since their bitter split in 2009. Fans have flooded social media with calls for answers – and begged the band to get back together.
But on Thursday morning, a new statement from the band explains the reason for the cryptic messages this week. And it all has to do with a new release from the band to celebrate Definitely Maybe’s 30th anniversary.
The band’s folks said in a statement: “Today details are announced about new album formats to celebrate Oasis’ iconic 1994 debut, three decades after its original release.
“Available on 30e August 2024, Final Maybe (30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) formats include songs from the scrapped original recording session at Monnow Valley Studios, along with outtakes from the final album recorded at Sawmills Studios in Cornwall, remixed for the first time by Noel Gallagher and Callum Marinho.
The album also includes an unreleased demo version of Sad Song. Originally released as a bonus track on the LP, this alternate version features vocals from Liam Gallagher.
“The package also includes brand new artwork from original art designer Brian Cannon for Microdot and original cover photographer Michael Spencer Jones, plus new sleeve notes from Creation Records boss Alan McGee and journalist Hamish MacBain.”
Fans were quick to point out that the new album cover features the iconic scene from a house in Didsbury that was on the original album – but which takes place without any of the band members appearing.
The statement went on to provide more details about the album, saying: “In August 1994, the release of Absolute Maybe marked a pivotal moment in British youth culture, with Noel Gallagher’s songwriting and Oasis’ assured cacophony of sound heralding a new beginning. It embodied a whole new vibe of rock and pop – hedonistic, guitar-driven and optimistic.
‘In Britain, soon to be freed from eighteen years of conservative rule, there was a growing sense of change and hope in the air, and Oasis captured that mood.
After signing a worldwide recording contract, Liam Gallagher, Noel Gallagher, Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs, Paul McGuigan and Tony McCarroll headed to the Monnow Valley studios on the Welsh border of Monmouthshire to capture the kinetic energy of their live shows. .
“At the time, the initial recordings felt too technical and polished, failing to capture the essence of the band. The sessions were eventually scrapped and the band moved to the remote confines of Sawmills Studios in Cornwall to re-record the album. Ultimately , with the addition of Owen Morris to complete the final mixes, Definitely Maybe was formed.
“The Monnow Valley recordings and the Sawmill outtakes, now unearthed for the first time, provide new and compelling insight into the process that led to the finished article.
“With its raw edges and restless energy, Definitely Maybe always sounded like an album that had arrived fully formed – but the newly revealed versions offer fans a fascinating new insight into the album; demonstrating the self-confidence that drove Oasis’ early years and the determination it took to make their debut.
“Piled away until now, revisiting the archive thirty years later marks the importance of the recording process in telling the story of the uneasy creation of one of the most vital albums of all time.”
Upon its release in 1994, Definitely Maybe rose to the top of the official UK album charts, becoming the fastest-selling debut album of all time at the time. It included hit singles Supersonic, Shakermaker, Live Forever and Cigarettes & Alcohol, while songs like Rock ‘n’ Roll Star and Slide Away have become ubiquitous global anthems.
The album has now been certified eight times platinum by the BPI in Britain, has sold over 6.1 million copies worldwide and is the second official most-streamed album of the ’90s in Britain, beaten only by its successor (What’s The Story) Morning Glory?.
Here’s the full tracklist announced today, and the album will go on sale August 30.
Definitely maybe (30e Anniversary Deluxe Edition) – track list:
Part 1
1. Rock ‘n’ Roll Star (Remastered)
2. Shakermaker (Remastered)
3. Live Forever (Remastered)
4. Up In The Sky (remastered)
5. Columbia (remastered)
6. Supersonic (Remastered)
7. Bring It Down (Remastered)
8. Cigarettes and Alcohol (Remastered)
9. Digsy’s Dinner (remastered)
10. Slide Away (Remastered)
11. Married with Children (Remastered)
Part 2
1. Rock ‘n’ Roll Star (Monnow Valley Version)
2. Shakermaker (Monnow Valley Version)
3. Live Forever (Monnow Valley Version)
4. Up In The Sky (Monnow Valley version)
5. Columbia (Monnow Valley Version)
6. Bring It On Down (Monnow Valley Version)
7. Cigarettes and Alcohol (Monnow Valley Version)
8. Digsy’s Dinner (Monnow Valley Version)
9. Rock ‘n’ Roll Star (Sawmills outtake)
10. Up In The Sky (Sawmills outtake)
11. Columbia (sawmill outtake)
12. Bring It Down (Outtake from Sawmills)
13. Cigarettes and alcohol (sawmill sale)
14. Digsy’s Dinner (sawmill outtake)
15. Sliding (sawmill output)
16. Sad Song (Mauldeth Road West demo, November ’92)