The Police – Sting, Andy Summers, and Stuart Copeland – became one of the greatest and most successful bands to emerge from the frenetic 1980s, off its deeply danceable sound, buoyed by Sting’s deeply heartfelt and literary instincts.
The Police were at their peak when the trio hit the studio to record Synchronicity, having arrived to the new decade with the massive 1979 hit “Message in a Bottle” under its belt, then continuing through the early years of the decade with three follow-up No. 1s – “Don’t Stand So Close to Me,” “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” and “Every Breath You Take.” As well, the band’s previous three albums had all reached No. 1 on the U.K. charts. What emerged from the Synchronicity sessions was yet another triumph, with the aforementioned “Every Breath You Take” as the lynchpin of a record that stands as one of their most beloved.
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On July 26, the group will release various editions of the LP, including a 6-disc Limited Edition Deluxe Boxset containing 55 previously unreleased tracks, new liner notes and interviews, rare archival memorabilia, and unseen photographs. The boxset has been in the works for more than three years, with the band’s involvement and endorsement. As the boxset arrives, each band member has various projects that they’re also focusing on: Stewart Copeland recently published his Police Diaries and toured the world with his Police Deranged concerts. Later this year, he will perform across the UK with his new spoken-word show Have I said Too Much? Andy Summers, meanwhile, has published several photography books focusing on the Police era. He is currently touring his Cracked Lens + A Missing String show across the US. Finally, Sting continues to tour extensively: his current US and European Tour runs throughout 2024 and features many Police songs among his solo work.
Among the extras from the boxset are 19 live recordings, all previously unreleased, from an epic September 1983 live show at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum, as well as alternate studio takes of every Synchronicity song. Capping things off are unreleased Police songs, including an early version of Andy Summers’ track “Goodbye Tomorrow.”
Order The Police’s Synchronicity now.
