Bruce Springsteen released Tracks in 1998, a compilation that showcased an alternative side of the New Jersey-born singer. Unlike a collection of hits, this four-disc box set presented a map of his artistic development and creative process during his first two decades.
Tracks revealed discarded work that Springsteen felt didn’t fit the core themes of his studio albums or wasn’t up to his production standards. This release contrasted with what seemed like a silent decade for Springsteen, who only published two full albums (“Lucky Town” in 1992 and “The Ghost of Tom Joad” in 1995), an EP, and the “Greatest Hits” compilation (1995).
Despite this perceived hiatus, Springsteen was prolific behind the scenes. Tracks II: The Lost Albums (1983 – 2018), set for release in 2025, will feature seven albums with 83 songs he kept in storage.
Albums in Tracks II – The Lost Albums (1983 – 2018)
- LA Garage Sessions ’83
- Streets of Philadelphia Sessions
- Faithless
- Somewhere North of Nashville
- INYO
- Twilight Hours
- Perfect World
LA Garage Sessions contains tracks recorded in 1983 in California, connecting the composition of Nebraska and Born in the USA. INYO delves into themes explored in The Ghost of Tom Joad, focusing on migration, poverty, and the relationship between Mexico and the United States with its border characters.
Previously overshadowed by his 1973-1984 classics like Born To Run, Darkness on the Edge of Town, The River and Nebraska, and commercial hit Born in the USA, Tracks II offers a new perspective on Springsteen’s creative journey, revealing hidden aspects of his artistic mind during what seemed like a silent period.
