"To hear a tape containing their earliest demos, recorded on May 11, 1965, and locked away until now, is to hear traces of things rarely associated with The Velvet Underground: blues and folk, earthy and traditional, uncertain and hesitant... yet bristling with that rusty, caustic, Lou Reed spirit. It is a revelation." - Will Hodgkinson, MOJO. Light in the Attic Records, in cooperation with Laurie Anderson, proudly announces the inaugural title in their ongoing Lou Reed Archive Series: Words & Music, May 1965. Released in tandem with the late artist's 80th birthday celebrations, the album offers an extraordinary, unvarnished, and plainly poignant insight into one of America's true poet-songwriters. Capturing Reed in his formative years, this previously unreleased collection of songs-penned by a young Lou Reed, recorded to tape with the help of future bandmate John Cale, and mailed to himself as a "poor man's copyright"-remained sealed in it's original envelope and unopened for nearly 50 years. It's contents embody some of the most vital, groundbreaking contributions to American popular music committed to tape in the 20th century. Through examination of these songs rooted firmly in the folk tradition, we see clearly Lou's lasting influence on the development of modern American music - from punk to art-rock and everything in between. A true time capsule, these recordings not only memorialize the nascent sparks of what would become the seeds of the incredibly influential Velvet Underground; they also cement Reed as a true observer with an innate talent for synthesizing and distilling the world around him into pure sonic poetry.
Install our app to receive notifications when new upcoming releases are added.

Recommended equipment and accessories
-
Technics SL-1500C Turntable
Features a direct-drive motor, a high-precision tonearm, and a premium MM cartridge, delivering exceptional sound quality
-
HumminGuru: Ultrasonic Vinyl Record Cleaner
Advanced ultrasonic technology with customizable cleaning cycles and a large tank capacity to thoroughly remove dust, dirt, and contaminants
-
Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO
Featuring a one-piece carbon fiber tonearm, precision-tuned motor, and a heavy steel platter with TPE damping, it ensures superior stability and sound quality.
-
Ortofon 2M Blue Premounted
Mounted on the SH-4 Black Headshell, this setup delivers exceptional clarity, dynamic range, and accurate sound reproduction.
-
Ortofon 2M Red Cartridge
Features an elliptical stylus that accurately tracks the grooves of vinyl records, delivering a rich, detailed sound with an output voltage of 5.5 mV
Featured Upcoming Vinyl
-
D.D. Verni and the Cadillac Band Buckle Up [2xLP]
Deko Music
September 19, 2025 -
Chick Corea Trilogy 3 [2xLP]
Candid
September 12, 2025 -
Jennie Ruby Vinyl
Columbia Records Group
August 22, 2025 -
Cold Chisel BIg Five-0 Live [3xLP]
Universal Import
August 15, 2025 -
Lola Young I'm Only F**king Myself (The ‘Waste Of My F*Cking Money’ Edition; Yellow; Amazon Exclusive)
Island
September 19, 2025 -
Pi'erre Bourne Made in Paris [2xLP]
Interscope/Geffen/A&M
September 19, 2025 -
Margo Price Hard Headed Woman
Loma Vista Recordings
August 29, 2025 -
Idlewild Idlewild
V2 Records
October 3, 2025 -
Various Artists Look at All the Love We Found: A Tribute to Sublime [3xLP]
Sublime Recordings
August 29, 2025 -
Of Monsters and Men All Is Love and Pain in the Mouse Parade [2xLP]
Skarkali Records
October 17, 2025 -
Asher White 8 Tips for Catastrophe Living (Pink)
Joyful Noise Records
September 12, 2025 -
Arcadea The Exodus of Gravity [2xLP]
Relapse
August 22, 2025 -
Nation of Language Dance Called Memory (Clearwith Black & Blue Mix)
Sub Pop
September 19, 2025 -
Baest Colossal
Century Media
August 15, 2025