Mac DeMarco recorded Salad Days alone in his Bed-Stuy apartment after coming back from months out on the road. It was a time in which he nearly tripled his audience on the strength of his first two releases and his live show. The results of his month long recording session find DeMarco reflecting on his success as well as his inner conflicts at the time. He seems weary of his success and the trade offs that come along with it. Despite being recorded in Brooklyn during the month of October, Salad Days sounds like you should be watching the sun set over the California coast while you listen to it. Jangly guitars meet ride cymbals in places while thick bass lines collide with DeMarco's mater of fact delivery in others. It's a pleasing combination that provides just the right backdrop for the singer's revealing word play.

This 10th anniversary 2LP edition features a full bonus LP containing early versions of the album's tracks, which show a rougher side of the otherwise more polished tunes on the final album. The OG “Passing Out Pieces” features a much louder synth part - this is the ultimate version as far as we’re concerned - while the demo versions of “Salad Days” (drum machine!) and “Blue Boy" are easy on the ears and a nice alternative if you’ve worn out the Salad Days versions. Unused instrumentals “Ken The Wolf Boy,” “Horse Hot Wee Wee Water,”  “Avocado Andrew” and the Boards Of Canada-esque (I mean, Mac is from Canada after all…) “Organ Ronald Donkey Water” are begging to be revisited and turned into songs. Frankly, there’s a ton of new music here; the only thing we could ask for is an alt version of “Chamber Of Reflection” (c’mon dawg!). Recommended.

• 10th anniversary edition of Mac DeMarco's sophomore album, contains Salad Days alongside Salad Days Demos
• holographic black double vinyl pressing (please note: holographic effect is only present on side 1)
• housed in deluxe triple panel gatefold sleeve w/ mirrorboard 'Chamber of Reflection' interior
• includes 18"x24" foldout poster + 12 page booklet w/ new liner notes by Mac
  
• please note: manufacturing process may result in concealed creases on gatefold, poster and booklet
• limited edition
• original release year: 2014
• music label: Captured Tracks 2024