Throwing Muses announce the reissue of their self-titled debut, originally released in 1986 and long out of print, out on 11 December to celebrate its 40th anniversary. Remastered by Kevin Vanbergen and featuring original artwork by Chris Bigg (v23), the anniversary reissue will be available digitally, on Standard Black LP, limited Oxblood LP, and CD. Special edition T-Shirts will also be available to pre-order with the record from the 4AD store and Bandcamp.
The Rhode Island band of Kristin Hersh, Tanya Donelly, Leslie Langston and David Narcizo, released their debut while they were still in their teens to widespread critical acclaim and astonishing reviews. Throwing Muses is a masterpiece of jarring time signatures and visceral emotion that completely shifted 4AD’s identity away from UK goth-pop, laying the groundwork for 1990s American alternative rock. The first American band ever signed to 4AD, they went on to release seven studio albums and two major EPs on the label.
Possession is a loaded word, but the songs of Throwing Muses were a direct result of a car accident Hersh suffered as a teenager that left her with serious injuries and, “a lightning rod to the skull,” that caused her to hear music no one else heard – music with jagged edges and unexpected melodic leaps. This record was recorded while Hersh was eight months pregnant; her child and child-songs merging in the studio.
4AD label chief at the time, Ivo Watts-Russell, funded the project, having found himself listening to their self-released cassette while caught in traffic: “I listened three or four times in a row. There was something so exciting about them – reminded me of The Birthday Party – the energy the lyrics. The music was hard and aggressive, but the more you lived with it, the more their beauty came through.” That combination of aggression and beauty, both intricate and primal, feverishly complex yet intensely melodic, elevates Throwing Muses to even headier heights.
40 years on, Throwing Muses has not lost one atom of its ability to thrill, mesmerize, unnerve and surprise, with a strong, underrated influence on the alt rock, grunge and riot grrrl scenes that followed. The story is ongoing, with Throwing Muses continuing to record and tour, and offshoot projects like 50 Foot Wave, Lakuna and solo projects. This, though, is the record where a whole family of music began.
Throwing Muses will be available digitally, on Standard Black LP, Oxblood LP and CD from 11 December 2026. For more information, and to order, head HERE.
Critical Acclaim for Throwing Muses
“Throwing Muses is an idiosyncratic and uncopyable debut… the primordial well from which myths emerge.” – Pitchfork, 9.2
“For some of us, the Throwing Muses’ debut was one of those records, the kind that leaves you feeling your life has been changed in ways you can’t define.” – SPIN Magazine
“The most shrilly promising debut album since Patti Smith’s Horses…I hear reflection, elation, coruscating confusion, and I despair that I live in a city where this music does not come out of taps.” – Sounds
“One of the proggiest and best albums of the 80s.” – Prog
“This album is one you’ve got to listen to about 100 times before singalong comfort sets in, simply because it’s so unpredictable. The beauty is that you can listen to it 1000 times. Easily.” – NME
Kristen Hersh – Sugar On Blackstone Album Tour – New Zealand shows
Saturday 28th November – Ravensbourne Hall, Dunedin
Sunday 29th November – A Rolling Stone, Christchurch
Friday 4th December – Kāhui St David’s, Auckland
Saturday 5th December – Meow, Wellington
Throwing Muses
Throwing Muses
4AD0938
Formats: Digital, Standard Black LP, Oxblood LPE, CD
Tracklisting
A1. Call Me
A2. Green
A3. Hate My Way
A4. Vicky’s Box
A5. Rabbits Dying
B1. America (She Can’t Say No)
B2. Fear
B3. Stand Up
B4. Soul Soldier
B5. Delicate Cutters
THROWING MUSES ONLINE
