Speed up, act quickly: Noncitizen contributes additional tracks to ‘4’ – The Second Disc
Foreigner is unveiling a new deluxe box set on September 12, dedicated to their seminal fourth album, “4.” This new edition of the album will not only feature a fresh remix of the original 1981 release but also three additional discs filled with unreleased material. These bonus tracks include studio outtakes, previously unheard songs from the recording sessions, instrumental mixes, and live selections from the band’s world tour during 1981-1982. To top it off, a Blu-ray Audio version will contain the album remix, along with a Dolby Atmos mix of the original 10-track LP, providing a high-resolution stereo experience. In addition, a new single titled “Fool If You Love Him” will also be available in this set.
“4” marked a significant milestone in Foreigner’s career, following three successful albums that had already established the band as a force in the music industry. The creation of “4” was no easy feat, with the group taking a break in 1980, regrouping at Electric Lady Studios as a quartet with producer Mutt Lange. The album was a result of two years of hard work, and Mick Jones, a founding member of the band, expressed pride in the achievement and the collaboration with Lange and bandmates Lou Gramm, Rick Wills, and Dennis Elliott.
Released in 1981, “4” enjoyed immense success, spending a total of 10 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. The hit singles “Urgent” and “Waiting for a Girl Like You” both reached the Top 5, while “Juke Box Hero” became a rock radio staple. The album ultimately sold over six million copies in the United States alone. Moreover, its blend of edgy rock and polished pop elements was ahead of its time, foreshadowing the band’s later chart-topping power ballad “I Want to Know What Love Is” in 1984.
Foreigner’s lineup has undergone changes over the years, and the band no longer boasts any original members in a full-time capacity. However, Mick Jones remains an essential part of the group’s studio recordings, and vocalist Kelly Hansen, alongside guitarist Luis Maldonado, now shares lead duties. In a heartwarming development, original vocalist Lou Gramm is set to make a guest appearance on select U.S. tour dates this December, contributing new vocals and lyrics to the previously unreleased track “Fool If You Love Him.”
The deluxe box set of “4,” featuring four CDs and one Blu-ray disc, promises a comprehensive experience for fans. With a plethora of unreleased songs, alternative versions, and instrumental mixes, listeners can delve deeper into the album’s creation process and revisit live performances from the band’s 1981-1982 tour. The release is set to be a treat for both longtime fans and newcomers to Foreigner’s music.