In the landscape of 1980s British pop, few voices command as much respect as Alison Moyet. While her debut solo album, Alf, is often cited as her defining masterpiece, her 1987 sophomore effort, Raindancing, stands as a fascinating document of an artist navigating the pressures of fame and the evolving sound of the decade. In 2016, Music On Vinyl and Sony Legacy gave fans and audiophiles a reason to revisit the record with a comprehensive Deluxe Edition, released in high-quality FLAC audio formats for digital enthusiasts and heavyweight vinyl for collectors.

There are albums you listen to, and then there are albums you feel. Alison Moyet’s 1987 sophomore solo effort, Raindancing, firmly belongs in the latter category. And while the original vinyl and CD pressings have graced collections for decades, the 2016 Deluxe Edition—especially when heard in high-resolution FLAC—is a revelation.

Let’s dive into why this remastered gem deserves a spot on your hard drive (and in your ears).

Following the massive success of her debut album Alf (1984)—which sold over a million copies in the UK alone—Alison Moyet faced a dilemma familiar to many breakthrough artists: how to evolve without alienating a fanbase enamored with the "Alf" persona. Raindancing, released in 1987, was her answer. While Alf was a blend of jazz, blues, and pop, Raindancing embraced the sonic landscape of late-1980s American radio.

The 2016 Deluxe Edition arrives nearly three decades later, stripping away the era-specific biases to present the album as a document of Moyet’s vocal versatility. In the high-resolution FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) format, the listener is privy to nuances often lost in the dynamic compression of the original vinyl cutting or the limitations of standard streaming audio.

Raindancing is not Alf. It is not a gritty, soulful pub-rock record. It is a pop record. And for thirty years, we’ve been listening to it through the equivalent of a dirty car window. The 2016 Deluxe Edition in FLAC washes that window clean.

If you own a decent DAC, a pair of planar magnetic headphones, or even a modest hi-fi system, do not stream this album. Download the FLAC. Close your eyes. You will hear Alison Moyet not as a nostalgic relic of 1987, but as a titan of vocal performance fighting against—and winning against—a wall of pristine 80s digital production.

Rating: 8.5/10 Essential Tracks (in FLAC): "Is This Love," "Ordinary Girl," "Blow Wind Blow (Extended Mix)."

Final Note: Ensure your source is the 2016 Sony Music / BMG reissue. Earlier digital transfers do not have this dynamic range.

Alison Moyet - Raindancing (Deluxe 2016)

Released in 2016, the deluxe edition of Alison Moyet's iconic album "Raindancing" is a must-have for fans of the British singer-songwriter. Originally released in 1993, "Raindancing" marked Moyet's second solo studio album, and it has since become a beloved classic in her discography.

The Album

"Raindancing" showcases Moyet's incredible vocal range and emotional depth, as she navigates themes of love, heartbreak, and self-discovery. The album features a mix of pop, rock, and electronic influences, with lush production and memorable songwriting. Standout tracks like "The Puppy" and "I Was Crying" demonstrate Moyet's ability to craft catchy, anthemic choruses, while songs like "Sister" and "The Day" reveal a more introspective, emotive side.

Deluxe Edition

The 2016 deluxe edition of "Raindancing" offers a wealth of additional material, making it a comprehensive and essential package for fans. The remastered audio and expanded tracklisting include:

Tracklisting

Digital Format

The deluxe edition of "Raindancing" is available in high-quality FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) format, ensuring that listeners can enjoy the album in the best possible sound quality.

Conclusion

The deluxe edition of Alison Moyet's "Raindancing" is a must-have for fans of the artist and the album. With its expanded tracklisting, remastered audio, and comprehensive booklet, this release offers a rich and rewarding listening experience. If you're looking to revisit this classic album or discover it for the first time, the 2016 deluxe edition is the perfect way to experience "Raindancing".

download Alison Moyet - Raindancing (Deluxe 2016) FLAC here

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

History remembers Raindancing for one thing: "Is This Love?" The track was a global smash, a piece of sophisticated, reggae-tinged pop that showcased Moyet’s ability to restrain her powerful pipes for an intimate, vulnerable whisper. But the album’s legacy was unfairly reduced to that single. Critics at the time lambasted the production as "too glossy" and the material as uneven.

Listening to the 2016 Deluxe Edition in FLAC format, the gloss evaporates. You hear the air between the synth pads. You feel the skin-on-skin contact of the drum skins. The high-resolution audio reveals that the "gloss" was actually a sophisticated layering of textures, lost in the muddy compression of 1987’s vinyl and cassette pressings.

In 2016, Sony Music and Moyet’s team revisited her back catalog with a series of "Deluxe" reissues. Raindancing received the most dramatic overhaul. Here is what distinguishes the 2016 Deluxe edition from standard pressings: