Oasis' Lost Album: Unheard 'Definitely Maybe' Recordings to Be Released

This week, fans of the iconic Britpop band Oasis are in for a treat as previously unheard recordings from the band's initial, doomed session for their debut album, "Definitely Maybe," are set to be released. The discovery of these tapes, believed lost for almost 30 years, coincides with the album's 30th anniversary and further fuels speculation of a potential Oasis reunion.

The recordings, captured at Monnow Valley Studios in south Wales, feature early versions of iconic tracks like "Live Forever," "Cigarettes & Alcohol," and "Rock 'n' Roll Star." Oasis songwriter Noel Gallagher, who initially dismissed the tapes as lost, recently uncovered them, stating that they had been mislabelled and misplaced for nearly three decades.

The early recordings reveal a rawer, less polished sound compared to the final "Definitely Maybe" album. Noel Gallagher described the initial recordings as "great" but felt they lacked the raw energy of Oasis's live performances. As a result, the band re-recorded and remixed the tracks before releasing the album, which ultimately became the UK's fastest-selling debut album at the time.

Fans have already had a glimpse of the band's early sound with a newly released, remixed version of "Bring It On Down," originally intended as their debut single. The upcoming release will feature further early cuts of songs like "Shakermaker" and "Columbia," offering a unique insight into the band's formative years.

The recordings, which some fans refer to as Oasis's "lost album," represent a rare opportunity to hear how eight of the "Definitely Maybe" tracks might have sounded in their original form.

The album's recording process was unconventional, with Oasis utilising various locations, including Monnow Valley and Sawmills, a riverside studio near Fowey, Cornwall. The band initially intended to record the entire album at Monnow Valley, a remote riverside studio near the Wales-England border, but ultimately chose to move to Sawmills after their management felt the initial recordings lacked the desired intensity.

Despite the failed initial session, Monnow Valley holds a significant place in Oasis history. The front cover of their debut single, "Supersonic," was shot in the studio's recording space, capturing the band's raw energy at the beginning of their journey. The studio has since become a popular destination for music enthusiasts who wish to experience the space where Oasis's iconic sound began.

The upcoming release of the "Definitely Maybe" 30th anniversary edition features the newly discovered Monnow Valley recordings, alongside outtakes from their subsequent recording sessions at Sawmills, and a previously unreleased demo version of "Sad Song," featuring Liam Gallagher on vocals.

As the release of these previously unheard recordings reignites excitement among Oasis fans, the band's legacy continues to inspire and captivate music lovers worldwide.