The British band Squeeze, known for hits from the 70s and 80s, has finally released its rock opera 'Trixies', which was composed over 30 years ago. The album, which remained in the drawer for decades, saw the light of day thanks to the initiative of the Domino Records label. Band members Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford admit that returning to their youthful project was an emotional experience for them, while also expressing disappointment with the contemporary music scene, which they describe as 'decepcionante' (disappointing). The album was released on March 6, 2026.
Thirty-year project in the drawer
The rock opera 'Trixies' was written by the Tilbrook-Difford duo in the mid-90s when the musicians were in their forties. The project, although completed, was never released and for decades remained an archival curiosity. The decision to publish was made only recently, making this album the longest-awaited release in the band's history.
Return to youthful ideals
The musicians admit that returning to material from three decades ago was a journey back in time. The lyrics and melodies created then reflect their worldview, ambitions, and sensitivity at the time. Reviewers, like the one from 'The Guardian', note that the album proves that 'teenage dreams are hard to beat' in terms of sincerity and energy.
Criticism of contemporary music
Speaking to 'El Confidencial', Glenn Tilbrook does not hide his disappointment with the current music scene, describing it with the word 'decepcionante' (disappointing). In his opinion, modern music production often loses its soul in favor of technical perfection, the opposite of which is the raw, passionate character of 'Trixies'. This stance gives the album's premiere an additional, reflective context.
Release by Domino Records
The release of the long-awaited work is handled by the respected Domino Records label, known for working with indie and alternative artists. The label's decision to release the archival project testifies to its recognition of Squeeze's legacy and belief in the artistic value of the material, even after such a long time.
The British band Squeeze has made an extraordinary comeback by releasing the album 'Trixies' – a rock opera composed and recorded over 30 years ago. The project, which for decades existed only as unfinished tapes and memories, saw the light of day on March 6, 2026, thanks to the Domino Records label. As reported by 'The New York Times', the rock opera was written in the mid-90s when the band's main creators, Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford, were in their forties. Although the material was completed at the time, for unclear reasons it never reached official distribution, becoming a legendary 'lost album' in the group's discography. The rock opera as a musical genre flourished in the late 60s and 70s, combining narrative structures of musicals with the sounds of progressive and psychedelic rock. Groundbreaking works were The Who's 'Tommy' (1969) and Pink Floyd's 'The Wall' (1979). In the 90s, when Squeeze was working on 'Trixies', the genre experienced a certain renaissance, though often in a more intimate and conceptual form than the grand spectacles of previous decades. The premiere of 'Trixies' is therefore not only a musical event but also an archaeological discovery. A review in 'The Guardian' emphasizes that the album 'finally proves that teenage dreams are hard to beat,' pointing to the freshness and authenticity of ideas that have not lost their power despite the passage of time. For the musicians themselves, returning to this material was a sentimental journey. In an interview for the Spanish 'El Confidencial', Glenn Tilbrook admitted that the process of finding and finalizing the old recordings was deeply emotional. At the same time, he did not hide a bitter reflection on the state of contemporary music. „„Hoy todo es decepcionante”” — Glenn Tilbrook – he stated, contrasting the organic, passionate creative process of years past with what he sees as an overly sterile and commercialized modern production. The release by Domino Records, a respected independent label, gives the entire undertaking an additional layer of artistic credibility. This decision suggests that the material is not merely a curiosity for fans but a work of lasting value. The album 'Trixies' also allows for a reassessment of Squeeze's legacy, a band that, while never achieving massive global fame on the scale of its biggest hits, reveals itself through such projects as a formation with deeper, conceptual ambitions. The premiere marks the closing of a certain chapter in the band's history and simultaneously offers listeners a unique opportunity to hear the sounds of a bygone era, preserved in a kind of artistic time capsule.
Mentioned People
- Glenn Tilbrook — Lead vocalist and guitarist of the band Squeeze, co-creator of the music for the rock opera 'Trixies'.
- Chris Difford — Rhythm guitarist and lyricist of the band Squeeze, co-creator of the libretto for the rock opera 'Trixies'.