Lush co-founder Mark Constantine proudly presents In the Bath, the fourth instalment of the brand’s acclaimed compilation series, following on from previous releases Self Preservation Society, Instant Replay and Life’s What You Make It. As a passionate music fan, this stunning vinyl triple album has once again been personally curated by Mark, and was be released on 24th January 2025.
For those who may be unaware of Lush’s previous compilation albums collated by Mark, within them you’ll find a wide-ranging array of covers, each album spotlighting a different decade in music filled with songs that have shaped and influenced him and his career during each era – starting with Self Preservation Society’s tribute to the 60s, Instant Replay then took on the 70s and Life’s What You Make It the 80s. In The Bath is of course the next step, featuring 30 brand new versions of songs originally recorded between 1991 to 2001, plus 5 additional bonus tracks, including some of the finest pop, folk, rock and ballads of the time, every cover featuring a different artist’s reinterpretation.
Containing songs by artists as diverse as R.E.M, The Spice Girls, Celine Dion, Tracy Chapman, The Offspring and Depeche Mode, these have been reworked by a galaxy of established and rising stars including frequent Lush collaborators Teddy Thompson, Afro Celt Sound System, Eliza Carthy, Jackie Oates, and Martha Tilston, with first-time appearances from The Lovely Eggs, Alice Faye, Sweet Billy Pilgrim, Joshua Burnside, Lady Maisery and Field Music. From the familiar to the unfamiliar, with unexpected collisions of styles, radical reworkings and faithful renditions, this is a joyful celebration of an eclectic era for music… The result is a magnificently diverse, six-sided jewel of a record, forming the soundtrack to Mark’s decade of the beginning of Lush.
Mark Constantine (Lush co-founder): ‘In my head, I see each of these triple album sets as a part of my autobiography. Granted, the years 1991 to 2001 weren’t quite like the sixties and seventies, where music was so powerful in my life, but I was still listening to a lot of new music, as I still do today. These songs represent some of my very favourite artists and songs from that period.
‘It’s a privilege to be able to commission these albums and help put them together. Everybody puts so much work into every track, and that’s what people always remark upon whenever they listen to them. Such high quality, and such a joy to be involved.’
Two singles have already been released before the album lands, the first being a unique take on Massive Attack‘s iconic ‘Teardrop’ from composer Craig Fortnam, featuring vocals from Chantelle Pike – Out now! Fortnam, best known for his work with North Sea Radio Orchestra, weaves dextrous guitar picking around the pure vocal tones of himself and Chantelle Pike’s distinctive voice. Following on will be a cheerful festive take on Swedish dark electro duo The Knife‘s ‘Reindeer’, courtesy of indie darling Piney Gir.
As for Mark’s personal favourites, he picks title track – Lemon Jelly’s ‘In the Bath’ interpreted here by Near Jazz Experience, Hedningarna’s 90s folk track ‘Raven’ from sitar player Sheema Mukherjee, Broken Forest’s cover of Bjork’s seminal ‘Human Behaviour,”‘ Supergrass favourite ‘Feel Alright,’ covered by Stealing Sheep, Mary Waterson’s take on Spice Girls’ ‘Say You’ll be There’ and Jackie Oates’ transformation of Stardust anthem ‘Music Sounds Better With You.’ Other highlights include Scottish singer-songwriter Alice Faye‘s lo-fi take on The Dandy Warhols’ mammoth ‘Bohemian Like You’, an eerie folk version of the seminal James single ‘Sometimes’ from Lisa Knapp, a match made in heaven with DIY indie stalwarts The Lovely Eggs covering ‘Cannonball‘, originally by The Breeders, and Martha Tilston‘s stunning stripped-back interpretation of David Gray’s ‘Babylon’.
Full track listing of the album and song notes here.
In the Bath Listening Party Tour
To celebrate the album release a run of fun, 90s themed evenings of music, conversation, refreshments are being held.
In Store Listening Party Tour 2025
Lush Birmingham – Week 27th January
Lush Liverpool – Week 3rd February
Lush Glasgow – Week 10th February
Each store’s Listening Party event will not only showcase the new vinyl release of In the Bath, but also feature an exclusive live set by one of the album artists and aim to celebrate local music.
For further information please visit: Lush Fresh Handmade Sound
