Photo Credit: Neil Krug

Jim James has announced the forthcoming release of Regions of Light and Sound of God (Deluxe Reissue) via ATO Records. The new extended edition of his seminal 2013 debut solo LP is due on July 29. It features the nine original tracks that initially appeared on the first edition, as well as a bonus LP with 12 rare B-sides, previously unreleased demos and alternative takes on staples. 

“I have changed a lot since then, many times over,” offered James. He went on to add, “So, in a lot of ways, it’s like a time machine, thinking about these songs, remembering what life was like back then. What I have gained and lost since. It makes me feel grateful for all of the gifts I have been given and for all of the love I have experienced in my life.”

Regions of Light and Sound of God (Deluxe Reissue) features the previously unheard “Read Between (Begin Again),” which debuted today as a visual equalizer on YouTube. In the video, James’ silhouette is starkly placed in the middle of the screen as hues of the rainbow fade and dissolve with the naturalness of the northern lights around him. 

James commented on “Read Between (Begin Again)” via a press release. He explained, “I wrote ‘Read Between’ about my great aunt who was suffering from dementia at the time.” Then, he added, “It is so wild to watch someone you love slowly disappear right before your eyes mentally while their body continues to hang on for a while. Really made me question the nature of the soul and spirit – what exactly is it that truly makes a person who they are?” 

In addition to “Read Between (Begin Again),” the My Morning Jacket frontman also offered some thoughts on the album opener, the funk-powered “State of the Art (A.E.I.O.U.).” James stated, “‘State of the Art’ has been a really interesting song because I feel like it seems to hold its place well with folks as time rages on and technology continues to shape our lives and the world we live in.” 

James first released Regions of Light and Sound of God on Feb. 5, 2013. The LP debuted at #1 on the Billboard’s “Vinyl Albums” and “Tastemakers Albums” chart. Additionally, the James produced, written and engineered solo album reached #34 on the overall Billboard 200. The musician remarked, “Firsts are always exciting, and this was my first solo album.” He added, “That is something I reflect on a lot – our culture’s obsession with NEW – and how we keep on inspiring ourselves as time rolls on and things aren’t NEW anymore, be that a career or a relationship or what have you. For me, that is one of the many gifts of music, that each day it gives me the chance to begin again. Any project that I am working on consumes my heart and transports me to that special place where time and space change and there is endless possibility to start anew.”

Pre-order Regions of Light and Sound of God (Deluxe Reissue) now. 

Watch the “Read Between (Begin Again)” visual equalizer below.

Tracklisting:

Side A

State of The Art (A.E.I.O.U.)

Know Til Now

Dear One

A New Life

Exploding

Side B

Of The Mother Again

Actress

All Is Forgiven

God’s Love To Deliver

Side C

All Is Forgiven (Alt Version)

State of The Art (A.E.I.O.U.) [Demo]

A New Life (Alt Version)

Dear One (Demo)

God’s Love To Deliver (Demo)

Side D

You Always Know

Read Between (Begin Again)

Epichord

Sweets

Moving Away (Alt Version)

Hallway of Trees