Anniversary edition of Lookaftering set for release on FatCat Records
Vashti Bunyan’s second studio album, Lookaftering, celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2025. To mark this milestone and Bunyan’s 80th birthday, an expanded edition will be released on February 7, 2025, via FatCat Records. This new version includes the original album along with a second LP featuring demo recordings, an alternate take, and a live performance of one of the album’s tracks. Additional materials include sleeve notes by Bunyan, producer Max Richter, Devendra Banhart, and Dave Howell, as well as a 16-page booklet featuring lyrics and paintings by Bunyan’s daughter, Whyn Lewis, whose artwork has often aligned with the themes of the album. Read our interview with Vashti Bunyan.
Artist: Vashti Bunyan
Release Date: 2025-02-07
Genres: Experimental Music, Folk, Psych-folk, Psychedelic Rock
Label: FatCat Records
Description: Expanded Lookaftering includes demo tracks, live recordings, and paintings. Released February 7, 2025, via FatCat Records with new liner notes.
The demos, recorded at Bunyan’s home between 2001 and 2005, feature stripped-back arrangements with acoustic and electric guitar, and experiments with synthesizers, piano, strings, harmonium, and recorders. In contrast, the live performance of “Lately,” recorded during a 2006 concert in Los Angeles, replicates the orchestrated arrangement from the original album.
Contributions from artists such as Devendra Banhart, Joanna Newsom, Adem Ilhan, Robert Kirby, and members of Vetiver helped shape Lookaftering. Many were inspired by Bunyan’s debut album, Just Another Diamond Day (1970), and collaborated on the project under Richter’s guidance. The original album was released on October 17, 2005, and was praised for its intimate soundscapes and emotional depth.
Bunyan reflected on the sessions, mentioning a photograph of Richter playing wine glasses with his daughter’s violin bow, evoking memories of the collaborative process. Richter described the experience as a communal effort, where the contributing artists worked together in a familial atmosphere.
Vashti Bunyan is a British singer-songwriter who initially gained attention with her debut album, Just Another Diamond Day (1970). After its release, Bunyan largely withdrew from the music industry, focusing on raising her family and living a quiet life. Decades later, the album achieved cult status, leading to Bunyan’s reemergence as a musician. Her second album, Lookaftering, released 35 years later, continued her exploration of introspective and minimalist arrangements, further solidifying her place in folk music history.
Born in 1945 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, Bunyan studied at art school before pursuing music. She worked briefly under the guidance of Andrew Loog Oldham, manager of the Rolling Stones, releasing early singles before embarking on a journey through the British countryside, which inspired much of her debut album. Her work is often characterized by delicate vocal delivery and lyrical focus on nature and personal reflections.
In recent years, Bunyan has written and spoken about her experiences in the music industry, as well as her creative process and inspirations. Her influence on contemporary folk and experimental music continues to be recognized by new generations of listeners and artists.
Lookaftering was originally intended to be titled Dead Pets before Bunyan decided on its final name, derived from a familial term meaning “to care for.” The album received critical acclaim, achieving a Metacritic score of 85% and being featured on year-end lists, including Pitchfork’s “Top 50 Albums of 2005.” The expanded edition provides an opportunity to revisit the album’s creation and impact through archival recordings and personal insights from its contributors.
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