French Atmospheric Post-Rock outfit The Black Noodle Project have announced the release of “Play Again – 20th Anniversary Edition,” an expanded reissue celebrating two decades since the recording of their landmark second studio album. Formed in 2001 by Jérémie Grima, the Paris-based group will release the commemorative package on November 06, 2026, in 2xCD and digital formats, with a 2xLP vinyl release scheduled to follow in January 2027.
Originally recorded in 2006 at the Art Evolution Studio near Paris, “Play Again” opened significant doors for the band upon its initial release. However, the original release left the band with lingering reservations regarding its mixing and mastering quality, which had been constrained by technical limitations and budget factors during the production process.
When revisiting the multi-track tapes in 2026 to create a new mix, the group discovered that more than a third of the original session recordings had vanished from their hard drives. Rather than abandoning the reissue, founding guitarist/vocalist Jérémie Grima, guitarist Sébastien Bourdeix, and Elad Berliner re-recorded the missing instrumental sections during 2026 studio sessions, remaining true to the original compositions while integrating subtle new arrangements.
The anniversary edition also marks the first physical release of the band’s “Take Me Home E.P.” which was previously available strictly in digital formats. On the 2xCD edition, the EP forms the complete second disc, while on the expanded 2xLP vinyl set, it occupies Side 4.
The updated audio was mixed by Elad Berliner and mastered by Dadi Tal. The original 2006 recordings feature performance contributions from Grima, Bourdeix, bassist Anthony Létévé, keyboardist Matthieu Jaubert, and drummer Franck Girault, alongside guest appearances by saxophonist Guillaume Urvoy and violinist Adrien Chevalier. Additional vocal work for the 2026 re-recording sessions was provided by Taos Caris.
Purchase “Play Again – 20th Anniversary Edition” on Bandcamp: https://theblacknoodleproject.bandcamp.com/album/play-again-20th-anniversary-edition
CD 1: Play Again (20th Anniversary Mix)
01. Introspection (03:03)
02. Tomorrow Birds Will Sing (06:45)
03. Wave on a Soul (04:06)
04. Not Yet (05:13)
05. The Great Northern Hotel (06:19)
06. Room for Everyone (05:10)
07. Garden of Delights (05:00)
08. To Pink from Blue (07:57)
09. Squares & Circles (03:03)
10. 1(3Bute)2 (04:55)
11. Happy End (08:05)
CD 2 / Vinyl Side 4: Take Me Home E.P. (Bonus)
01. Take Me Home
02. Love / Oblivion
03. My Everything
04. Requiem for a Ninja (feat. Ninja 666)
Original 2006 Lineup:
Jérémie Grima / Guitars, Vocals
Sébastien Bourdeix / Guitars
Anthony Létévé / Bass
Matthieu Jaubert / Keyboards
Franck Girault / Drums
Guest Musicians (2006):
Guillaume Urvoy / Saxophone on “Squares & Circles”
Adrien Chevalier / Violin on “Happy End”
2026 Re-record Sessions / Jérémie Grima, Sébastien Bourdeix, Elad Berliner
Additional Vocals (2026) / Taos Caris