Third Man Records proudly announces the 65th installment in its acclaimed Vault subscription series: The Jesus and Mary Chain – Psychocandy: 40th Anniversary Edition. This landmark release honors the seismic impact of one of the most influential albums of the 20th century. Signups are open now through July 31 at midnight CST — don’t miss out.
Originally released in 1985, Psychocandy remains a singular moment in music history — a fuzz-drenched collision of The Velvet Underground’s cool, The Shangri-Las’ heartbreak, and The Stooges’ sneer. To mark four decades since its release, Third Man has gone all-in with a deluxe package worthy of the album’s legacy.
At its core, this set includes Psychocandy cut to 2xLP 180-gram colored vinyl at 45 RPM — an audiophile dream. Mastered from 192kHz transfers of the original mix and cut by Warren Defever at Third Man Mastering, this pressing offers astonishing clarity and dynamic range. Controlled chaos has never sounded so alive.
Also included is a never-before-heard live set from St. Andrew’s Hall in Detroit, 1987, spanning highlights from both Psychocandy and its moody follow-up Darklands. Mixed from multitrack soundboard recordings by William Reid and Brian Young, it captures The Jesus and Mary Chain at their raw, reverberating best. Two tracks previously surfaced as B-sides in ’88 — the rest are unheard until now.
The records come housed in deluxe packaging: a gatefold, slipcased jacket for Psychocandy, and a classic wide-spine jacket for the live LPs.
Rounding out the set is an exclusive metallic gold 7-inch pairing the ferocious fan favorite “Jesus Fuck” with a never-released demo of the iconic “Just Like Honey.” It’s a perfect contrast — pure pop beauty and overdriven chaos — capturing the band’s signature blend of light and dark.
Whether you’re a lifelong devotee or discovering their feedback-laced brilliance for the first time, The Vault: Psychocandy 40th Anniversary Edition is an essential celebration of a record that changed everything.
