As a defining force in the anti-folk movement, Block has spent decades challenging musical conventions, carving out a sound that resists easy categorisation. Now as he prepares to unveil new material, he’s also revisiting his past for a series of deluxe reissues that breathe new life into his influential body of work.
Remastered and executive-produced by Blake Morgan (Lenny Kravitz, Janita, Lesley Gore), these forthcoming releases will include rare tracks, alternate versions, and fully restored recordings. The first of these is ‘The Greene Street Sessions [Deluxe Edition]’, which expands the long-lost EP into the full-length album it was always meant to be. Originally produced by Mike Rathke (The Velvet Underground, Laurie Anderson, Peter Gabriel) and mastered by Bob Ludwig (Foo Fighters, Daft Punk, Beyoncé), the project features Lou Reed’s backing band and showcases Block’s raw, incisive songwriting in its purest form.
Among the highlights is the classic soul swaggering ‘3rd Mall From The Sun’, a previously unreleased single inspired by comedian Bill Hicks. Block recalls how Hicks’ satirical take on consumer culture sparked the idea: “I was living in Rockland County, where this massive mall felt like it could drain the life out of you. I imagined a dystopian house party where everyone was selling- or had just been sold- something.” That sharp, observational wit is a hallmark of Block’s music, making his work as relevant today as when it first emerged.
Stripped-back in its both production and instrumentation, these revised offerings make for a fresh and electrifying addition to Block’s musical artistry. Blending a heady mix of folk, post-punk, and Britpop to create his progressive direction, this new release rekindles that same initial magic he has always possessed, adding yet another vital dose of revelry to his expansive repertoire to date.
For longtime followers and newcomers alike, ‘The Greene Street Sessions [Deluxe Edition]’ sets the stage for a deeper dive into one of indie music’s most enigmatic figures. As Block himself puts it, “This record is finally getting the proper moment on the launchpad.” And with these reissues, his legacy is primed for takeoff once again.
