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The Artists Formerly Known as The Joans had been working on a song called Stars for several years by the time sessions began at Mickie Most’s RAK studios in January 1995. The sparse arrangement and meandering structure which characterised the track in the early-90s had been honed into a relatively tight pop single, coming in at just under four minutes. While the now-ubiquitous drum sample and Steve Hillier’s bass program remained, Chris Wilkie’s ambient guitar chords had been joined by Jon Kirby’s stately synth-pads and Andy Duncan’s sophisticated percussion nuances. By the time Sarah Blackwood had completed her recording debut, it would be presented as one of Stephen Hague’s signature productions.

Having grazed the nether regions of the Top 40 on its maiden voyage, the decision was taken to give Stars a second shot at the UK charts, following the greater success of the Anywhere and Not So Manic Now singles. To mitigate their squeamishness about a ‘re-release’, Dubstar elected to record additional material for the package, hoping to add value for any dedicated fans who had already bought Stars the summer before. The additional tracks (developed in the band’s own studio on Westgate Road in Newcastle) became a cherished addition to the catalogue, but were plagued by adversity. Almost destroyed by a malfunctioning ADAT machine on the very week they were recorded, and eventually lost for decades in EMI’s labyrinthine vaults.

Like a breathtaking frogmarch through the anxiety of youth, fresh listeners to the Stars EP found themselves thrust into a state of adolescent genophobia as soon as the title track had faded: Excuse Me Father was up next. The second track Starfish took us for a heavily-sedated curry with a predatory male, while Bow Wow Now addressed the heartbreaking reality of canine euthanasia.

Fans will recall how the original EP was sold in a yellow box-sleeve containing artwork from previous Disgraceful-era releases, and just enough room to insert the associated remix CD. An indulgence for the tidy completist.

The new remixes for the single remain some of the band’s most popular, and took Stars into unexplored corners of the UK club scene. One of them required Sarah to sing the song all over again, as she explains here:

“We were chuffed to hear Steve Rodway was going to give Stars the Motiv8 treatment. Motiv8 meant upbeat, happy, dance floor. Which meant speeding up the vocals.....

In those days the technology wasn’t available to speed up voices without them sounding like Minnie Mouse on helium, so I had to re-sing it. EMI sent a black cab which whisked me off to Abbey Rd studios. My legs wobbled going up the steps and through the hallowed doors- it was such a privilege to sing the same song in two different but legendary studios. A proper ‘pop star’ moment”.

And so, with the capable assistance of Warner Music, the long-lost Stars EP has been lovingly rendered for digital streaming at last, featuring all 7 tracks from the 1996 collectors’ set.

The EP should be experienced alone with the listener completely naked, to enhance the disquieting sense of vulnerability which the artists intended.