Alison Moyet - Raindancing -deluxe 2016- -flac-

Standard reissues often feel like cash grabs. Not this one. The 2016 Deluxe Edition (on CD and digital high-res) offers two distinct treasures:

By: [Author Name] Date: April 19, 2026

In the pantheon of 1980s pop icons, Alison Moyet occupies a unique and somewhat paradoxical space. Emerging from the raw, synth-punk energy of Yazoo, she possessed a contralto voice so rich, so volcanic, it felt utterly out of place in the decade of breathy sopranos and digital reverb. Her 1984 solo debut, Alf, was a masterclass in blue-eyed soul and torch songs. But its follow-up, 1987’s Raindancing, was the difficult second album that nearly derailed a legacy—until now. Alison Moyet - Raindancing -Deluxe 2016- -FLAC-

With the 2016 deluxe reissue (presented here in high-resolution FLAC), we finally get to hear what Moyet and producer Jimmy Iovine actually intended. Stripped of the era’s harsh radio compression and presented with audiophile clarity, Raindancing isn't a misstep. It’s a misunderstood masterpiece. Standard reissues often feel like cash grabs

The most contentious aspect of Raindancing upon its release was its production. Handed primarily to Jimmy Iovine (known for his work with Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks), the album possessed a "big," glossy sheen typical of the era. The 2016 remaster, presented here in lossless quality, allows for a dissection of this production. Emerging from the raw, synth-punk energy of Yazoo,

In standard lossy formats (like MP3), the dense layering of tracks like the opener, "Is This Love?", can result in "smearing," where the vocals and backing tracks bleed together. In FLAC, the separation is distinct. One can hear the specific texture of the Fairlight CMI synthesizers and the distinct placement of the gated reverb drums—a hallmark of 80s production. While the production has been criticized for burying Moyet’s voice under a wall of sound, the remaster clarifies that Moyet’s vocal takes were recorded with remarkable proximity and presence. Her bluesy growl cuts through the digital polish of the title track, creating a tension between the organic voice and the mechanical backing that is compelling rather than distracting.