Warpaint The Fool Deluxe Edition 2011 Repack -
In 2011, almost exactly one year after the original release, Warpaint and Rough Trade unleashed The Fool Deluxe Edition. This wasn't just a remaster; it was an expansion of the album’s universe. Here is what the Deluxe Edition included:
For fans in 2011, this was the definitive way to experience Warpaint’s early era.
The 2011 repack of The Fool is not merely a collector’s footnote; it is an essential document of Warpaint’s artistic process. By folding “Jubilee,” a Bowie cover, and live recordings into the original album’s world, the deluxe edition deepens the listener’s immersion into the band’s foggy, rhythmic dreamscape. It stands as a testament to the idea that sometimes, a “repack” can unbind an album’s soul more fully than its initial release ever could. For those who discovered Warpaint through this edition, The Fool remains not a single statement, but a dialogue between the controlled and the chaotic—a fool’s errand, perhaps, but one worth undertaking.
An in-depth look at Warpaint's album 'The Fool' and its Deluxe Edition release in 2011.
Warpaint’s debut album, The Fool, remains a defining statement in modern indie rock. Released in late 2010, the album introduced the world to the band's signature blend of dream pop, post-punk, and psychedelic jams. Recognizing the massive critical acclaim and growing cult following, a special repackaged Deluxe Edition was issued in 2011.
This article explores the atmospheric magic of the original record and what makes the 2011 Deluxe Edition an essential piece of physical media for music collectors. The Genesis of 'The Fool'
Before diving into the repack, it is essential to understand the gravity of the original album. Formed in Los Angeles, Warpaint—consisting of Emily Kokal, Theresa Wayman, Jenny Lee Lindberg, and Stella Mozgawa—perfected a sound that was both intensely atmospheric and rhythmically complex.
Produced by Tom Biller, The Fool captures a band fully locked into each other's musical frequencies.
Hypnotic Rhythms: Stella Mozgawa’s drumming provided a masterclass in groove.
Interlocking Guitars: Kokal and Wayman wove intricate, delayed guitar patterns.
Driving Basslines: Lindberg's dub-heavy bass anchored the ethereal melodies.
Tracks like "Undertow" and "Shadows" showcased their ability to build slow-burning tension that exploded into shoegaze-infused crescendos. It was an album that demanded to be heard as a singular, cohesive experience. The 2011 Deluxe Edition Repack warpaint the fool deluxe edition 2011 repack
Capitalizing on the album's success and the band's relentless touring schedule, Rough Trade Records released the Deluxe Edition in 2011. This was not just a simple cash-in; it was a curated expansion of the album's universe. Disc 1: The Original Masterpiece
The first disc contains the original nine-track album that stole the hearts of critics at NME, Pitchfork, and beyond. Set Your Arms Down Lissie's Heartbreak Hotel Baby (Acoustic) Disc 2: The Bonus Material
The real draw for fans in the 2011 repack was the bonus disc. It compiled hard-to-find tracks and live recordings that showcased Warpaint's raw energy outside the studio environment.
The 'Exquisite Corpse' Cuts: Early EP tracks that showed the band's evolution.
Live Sessions: Capturing the hypnotic, improvisational nature of their live shows.
Extended Jams: Giving listeners a peek into their experimental songwriting process. Why This Specific Pressing Matters
In the era of digital streaming, physical repacks and deluxe editions sometimes lose their luster. However, the 2011 physical release of The Fool Deluxe Edition remains highly sought after by vinyl and CD collectors for several reasons:
Distinct Artwork: The repackaging often featured expanded booklet art, lyrics, and rare band photos.
Audio Dynamics: Fans argue that the specific mastering of this era preserves the raw, tape-saturated warmth of the original recordings.
Historical Marker: It captures Warpaint at the exact moment they transitioned from indie darlings to international touring forces.
More than a decade after its release, The Fool stands the test of time. It influenced a wave of moody, female-fronted indie bands and proved that atmospheric jam sessions could translate into tight, memorable studio albums. The 2011 Deluxe Edition remains the definitive document of this era, offering the most complete look at a band finding their voice and conquering the indie world. If you need track-by-track breakdowns The word count you are aiming for In 2011, almost exactly one year after the
Released on 26 September 2011 Rough Trade Records , the Deluxe Edition of Warpaint's debut album,
, served as a comprehensive repackage of the band's rapid rise in the indie-rock scene. Arriving less than a year after the original October 2010 release, this edition was designed to bundle their definitive early work into a single, cohesive experience. Key Features of the 2011 Repack The deluxe edition is primarily distinguished by its two-CD format (or expanded digital equivalent), which includes: Bonus Disc: Exquisite Corpse
: The second disc contains their entire 2008 debut EP, featuring tracks like "Stars," "Elephants," and "Billie Holiday". This addition was praised as an "essential piece of the Warpaint puzzle" for those who missed the original limited run. Unique Bonus Tracks "Shadows" (Neon Lights Remix)
: A well-regarded remix that originally appeared as a B-side to the "Shadows" single. "Billie Holiday" (Steve Mackey Radio Edit)
: A "tweaked" version of the EP track, edited by Pulp bassist and producer Steve Mackey Sonic Identity & Production
The album is celebrated for its "night-swimming aesthetic" and "dark, cobwebby feel". The production credits highlight a blend of high-profile collaborators: Tom Biller produced and mixed the core album in Los Angeles. Andrew Weatherall
provided additional mixes, specifically for "Undertow" and "Baby". Adam Samuels John Frusciante
(on the EP tracks) contributed to the mixing, with Frusciante's influence noted on the earlier Exquisite Corpse Critical Legacy Warpaint – The Fool (Deluxe) - Discogs 26 Sept 2011 —
Deep Diving into Warpaint’s "The Fool" (Deluxe Edition) September 26, 2011 , less than a year after their haunting debut album, released a special Deluxe Edition Rough Trade Records
. This "repack" served as a comprehensive look at the band's early career, combining their breakthrough full-length with the influential Exquisite Corpse The Sound of Modern Mysticism The album was produced by Tom Biller
(known for work with Liars and Sean Lennon) and featured iconic mixing from Andrew Weatherall Remixes: It featured a remix of "Warpaint" by
on tracks like "Undertow" and "Baby". Critics and fans alike praised the record for its: Intricate Psychedelia
: A blend of weaving guitar lines and driving post-punk rhythms. Hypnotic Vocals : Soft yet magnetic delivery from vocalists Emily Kokal Theresa Wayman Otherworldly Atmosphere
: A skeletal, reverb-heavy sound that felt both intimate and mystical. Deluxe Edition Tracklist
The 2011 deluxe repack is notable for its second disc, which effectively serves as a retrospective of the band's pre-album material. Notable Details Set Your Arms Down Album opener Mixed by Andrew Weatherall Mid-album highlight Shadows (Neon Lights Remix) Deluxe Bonus Track Exquisite Corpse Exquisite Corpse Billie Holiday Exquisite Corpse Billie Holiday (Steve Mackey Edit) Deluxe Bonus Track Legacy and Rarity Following the release,
earned a silver certification in Europe, representing over 20,000 copies sold. While the original 2010 pressing sometimes suffered from technical issues like "swooshing" noises, the later repacks and deluxe editions corrected these mastering flaws for a fuller soundstage. For fans looking for the ultimate version, the Rough Trade store and platforms like
remain the best places to track down physical copies of this 2011 release.
The centerpiece of the repack’s bonus content is “Jubilee.” Originally recorded during the The Fool sessions but left off due to sequencing, “Jubilee” is a six-minute meditation on loss and repetition. Its circular guitar riff and Kokal’s whispered refrain—“You’re on your own now”—encapsulate Warpaint’s ability to create intimacy through sparseness. Including it in the deluxe edition retroactively fills a gap in the original album’s narrative, suggesting that The Fool was always a more fragmented, vulnerable work than first perceived.
Similarly, the cover of “Ashes to Ashes” strips Bowie’s original of its synth-pop sheen, replacing it with reverb-laden guitars and a funereal tempo. The choice is deliberate: Bowie’s lyrics about Major Tom’s isolation and addiction mirror the themes of emotional detachment running through The Fool. By covering it, Warpaint positions themselves within a lineage of art-rock introspection, while their arrangement asserts a distinct, contemporary femininity absent from Bowie’s version.
The live tracks—especially a raw rendition of “Beetles” recorded at KCRW—highlight the band’s improvisational chemistry. Where the studio album feels meticulously constructed, these performances reveal the nervous energy beneath, reminding listeners that Warpaint is, at its core, a band of instrumentalists who thrive on collective trance states.
By early 2011, demand for The Fool had grown substantially through word-of-mouth, college radio, and sync licensing in TV shows. Rough Trade Records (UK) and Manimal Vinyl (US) responded with The Fool Deluxe Edition, re-released in a "2011 Repack" format. The term "repack" is crucial—it denotes a complete physical and sonic overhaul, not merely a re-stickered jewel case.
