(Special Report)

Written by: Jake Beach  

The Beatles have once again opened the vaults, and this time it feels like a true continuation of their grand Anthology vision. The new series, paired with the freshly announced Anthology 4, doesn’t just revisit the past—it reframes it for a new generation. The project dives deep into the corners of the band’s creative process, combining remastered treasures with unreleased gems that shine a fresh light on familiar classics. One track in particular has fans buzzing: “Helter Skelter (Take 17).” It’s a ferocious and sprawling alternate take, restored and polished but still dripping with raw chaos. Listening to it, you hear not just the song itself but the band pushing themselves to the edge, experimenting, stretching out, trying to capture the unhinged power they were chasing in the studio. It’s moments like this that remind us why the Anthology series was never meant to be just another reissue—it’s about hearing The Beatles as a living, breathing band, still in the act of discovery. The tagline teased with its release—“Keep that one, mark it fab”—feels like a wink across time, as if the band themselves are handing us this rediscovered fragment of history. While some have noted that Anthology 4 repackages material we’ve already seen, the presence of unheard cuts like this proves that the archives still have plenty of secrets worth unlocking.

Running parallel to The Beatles’ return to the spotlight is a major moment from John Lennon’s estate. The new Power to the People box set is the most expansive retrospective yet, focusing on his politically charged New York years with Yoko Ono. It’s a massive collection—nine CDs and three Blu-rays—that brings together remixed studio albums, live performances, demos, and alternate takes. At the center is New York City: The Ultimate Mixes, a reimagined version of the Some Time in New York City album. Songs like “Attica State,” “Angela,” and “John Sinclair” feel freshly alive, stripped of their murkier production and presented with greater clarity. The box also includes the full One to One concerts from Madison Square Garden, offering the complete experience of Lennon and Ono at their most outspoken and defiant on stage. For longtime fans, it’s a treasure chest; for new listeners, it’s a chance to rediscover Lennon not just as an ex-Beatle but as an artist fully immersed in activism and confrontation.

To set the stage, Lennon’s team released a new video for the “Sunday Bloody Sunday (Ultimate Mix).” The song, originally written in the wake of the 1972 massacre in Northern Ireland, was one of Lennon’s most uncompromising political statements. The new mix sharpens its edges, clarifies its layers, and lets the fury burn through more vividly than ever before. The accompanying video, directed with striking imagery and produced by Sean Ono Lennon, intercuts archival footage with protest scenes and bold visuals that connect the song’s original outrage to the struggles of today. It doesn’t just feel like a historical document—it feels urgent, as though Lennon’s voice is still cutting through the noise, demanding to be heard. Together with the box set, it paints a picture of an artist who refused to stay silent, and whose work still resonates powerfully in our own turbulent times

ATTENTION ALL MUSICIANS AND ARTISTS!

If you're passionate about your music and you're ready to take your career to the next level, you need to reading this. In today's world, getting your music out there isn't just a dream; it's a reality. You don't need a big record label holding you back. You need freedom, control, and the tools to succeed. Soundwave Music Media has a special deal just for you. Use this link and code below to receive  20% off your DistroKid membership. Get your music out there and you maybe the next artist we report on.