Windmill Lane Recording Studios to drop vinyl classics album, featuring The Cranberries, R.E.M., U2 & more

Ireland’s iconic Windmill Lane Recording Studios have announced a limited edition vinyl album in association with Universal Music Ireland.

Windmill Lane Recording Studios album features artists long associated with the famous studios, such as The Cranberries, U2, Elvis Costello, Westlife, and many more. Pre-order the project here.

U2's 'Mysterious Way' marks the album's opening track. Famously recorded in Hansa Studios in Berlin, Germany, in 1991; previous clients included David Bowie, Depeche Mode, Iggy Pop. Tensions and slow progress in Hansa nearly prompted the group to disband, but morale and productivity improved during subsequent recording sessions in Dublin's STS Studios, Windmill Lane Recording Studios & Elsinore (a house in Dalkey) where Achtung Baby was completed in 1991.

1994 hit 'Zombie' (from No Time To Argue) by the Cranberries also appears on the new vinyl album. 'Zombie' is a protest song written in memory of the two young victims who were killed in the IRA 1993 Warrington bombings, Johnathan Ball and Tim Parry. The song was initially called 'In Your Head', with pre-production done in Windmill Lane with Stephen Street at the controls. The video reached over one billion views on YouTube, making The Cranberries the first Irish band to do so. The clip for the song was directed by Samuel Bayer, who also directed Nirvana's music video for 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'.

Westlife's 2001 hit 'World Of Our Own', R.E.M's 'Imitation of Life' (2001), 'All This Useless Beauty' by Elvis Costello & The Attractions (1996), Simple Mind's 'She's A River (1995), 1982's 'Old Town' by Phil Lynott, 1999's 'When A Woman' by Gabrielle, and The Corrs' 2000 smash 'Breathless' all make the forthcoming Windmill Lane Studios album cut - plus 'Julia Says' by Wet Wet Wet (1995).

Speaking about the vinyl CEO of Windmill Lane Studios, Naomi Moore said: “When we took over Windmill Lane Recording Studios in 2009, we not only acquired a business, we inherited the most iconic facility of music creation in Ireland. We were determined to nurture and celebrate its history, its outstanding creative output, and its influence on the world stage. As we continue to work with leading and developing acts, we aim to celebrate and commit to vinyl, the talent that enters our famous green doors for another 40 years. Put simply, this album will bring you back, pick you up and reaffirm your love for great tunes. We are so proud, delighted, and privileged to share it with you.”

Nick Younger of Universal Music Ireland said: “When Naomi and Aidan approached us with this idea, we jumped at the chance to partner with them. Few studios in the world can compare to the incredible list of artists and producers who have recorded in Windmill Lane. With the very rich catalogue and the new talented artists recording in the studios today, I’ve no doubt that this will be the first volume of many.”

The iconic location is now welcoming the public to the reopening of their studio tours. Discover 40 years of music history on a tour of Dublin’s legendary recording studios, where everyone from Lady Gaga to U2 has created music. Visitors have an unprecedented opportunity to step beyond the studio's famous green doors and receive an exclusive behind-the-scenes look of these working recording studios.

Album Tracklist:

Side A

Mysterious Way - U2

Imitation Of Life - R.E.M.

Zombie - The Cranberries

All This Useless Beauty - Elvis Costello

Old Town - Phil Lynott

Side B

World Of Our Own - Westlife

Breathless - The Corrs

When A Woman - Gabrielle

She’s A River - Simple Minds

Julia Says - Wet Wet Wet