Toyah - Dreamchild (Special Edition) (2024)

Following recent Cherry Red reissues of 1980s Toyah back catalogue albums, comes the June release of Dreamchild: Special Edition. Unavailable for over 15 years, this expanded edition contains Toyah’s 1994 album Dreamchild augmented with five previously unreleased tracks from the period. Written and produced by Mike Bennett (longtime collaborator with The Fall), Dreamchild sees Toyah cascade her distinctive, purring vocals over a framework of ethereal electronica. The album spawned two singles, the melodic, ambient ballad Out Of The Blue and the upbeat, techno-styled anthemic Now And Then, infamously remixed by Utah Saints upon original release.

Other album highlights include the ambient torch-song Let Me Go, the rousing, rock-infused Unkind, and the epic title track which features guest guitar from Jay Stapley. This reissue adds Open The Skies, a previously unheard outtake from the album sessions which is a heady mix of tribal beats, soaring guitar work and powerful vocals. Whilst Dreamchild is most definitely an ambient/dance album, it was born out of a proposed stage musical, Cindy X, also authored by Mike Bennett.