{"title":"Camera Obscura","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCamera Obscura\u003c\/strong\u003e formed in Glasgow in 1996, releasing a slew of singles leading up to their debut CD \u003ci\u003eBiggest Bluest Hi-Fi\u003c\/i\u003e (2001, UK). The band slowly built up a loyal following in their native land, including the likes of legendary BBC DJ John Peel, who championed the band early on. Merge Records released Camera Obscura’s US debut, \u003ci\u003eUnderachievers Please Try Harder\u003c\/i\u003e, in 2004, beginning a love affair between the US and the band that continues to this day. Fans across North America quickly became hooked on Camera Obscura’s lovely, enchanting melodies and undeniable hooks, and \u003ci\u003eLet's Get Out of This Country\u003c\/i\u003e followed in 2006.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e2024's \u003ci\u003eLook to the East, Look to the West \u003c\/i\u003eis the sound of a band that has grown more confident in its sound and purpose than ever. It is Camera Obscura at their best and most evocative, an album that completely rearranges the listener’s emotional core, leaving them sad and exhilarated at the same time. Camera Obscura’s catalog is replete with songs people point to as life-changing, songs that will stick with them all their lives. \u003ci\u003eLook to the East, Look to the West \u003c\/i\u003ehas 11 of them; take your pick. \u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"camera-obscura-biggest-bluest-hi-fi","title":"Camera Obscura - Biggest Bluest Hi-Fi","description":"\u003cp style=\"margin-left:0px;\"\u003eOn May 8, 2026, \u003cstrong\u003eCamera Obscura\u003c\/strong\u003e celebrates the 25th anniversary of their debut album, \u003ci\u003eBiggest Bluest Hi-Fi\u003c\/i\u003e, with a vinyl reissue via Merge Records. Out-of-print on the format since its initial UK release on Andmoresound in 2001, the 25th anniversary edition is the most definitive version of of \u003ci\u003eBiggest Bluest Hi-Fi\u003c\/i\u003e ever pressed to vinyl, featuring both “Eighties Fan” B-sides — “Shine Like a New Pin” and “Let’s Go Bowling” — which were later added to expanded CD reissues of the album.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin-left:0px;\"\u003e“We’ve been working towards a re-release of this album for some time now,” says \u003cstrong\u003eTracyanne Campbell\u003c\/strong\u003e, “so we’re really delighted that it’s happening and pleased that folk can finally have their own vinyl copy.”\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"merge records","offers":[{"title":"LP (Black)","offer_id":52739165487415,"sku":"MRG256LP","price":24.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Download","offer_id":52739165421879,"sku":"MRG256digital","price":8.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0966\/3935\/3143\/files\/135d632314a8ca34a2b4056d67d8b79cc2d76490_ff53f424916b12d15b53fa660b8d0eaffd732b71_medium_jpg.jpg?v=1789600281"},{"product_id":"camera-obscura-look-to-the-east-look-to-the-west","title":"Camera Obscura - Look to the East, Look to the West","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,0,0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCamera Obscura\u003c\/strong\u003e's first album in more than 10 years, \u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLook to the East, Look to the West\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003eis the sound of a band that has grown more confident in its sound and purpose than ever. It is Camera Obscura at their best and most evocative, an album that completely rearranges the listener’s emotional core, leaving them sad and exhilarated at the same time. The Tracyanne Campbell–led outfit, reuniting with producer Jari Haapalainen (\u003ci\u003eLet’s Get Out of This Country\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eMy Maudlin Career\u003c\/i\u003e), have crafted an album that simultaneously recalls why longtime fans have ferociously loved them for decades while also being their most sophisticated effort to date. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"merge records","offers":[{"title":"Signed LP (Black)","offer_id":52739345416503,"sku":"MRG839LP","price":30.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"LP (Black)","offer_id":52739345285431,"sku":"MRG839LP","price":27.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":52739345318199,"sku":"MRG839CD","price":14.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Download","offer_id":52739345350967,"sku":"MRG839digital","price":7.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0966\/3935\/3143\/files\/0ec5caa1954ad5f34bb84eec94d3b430963a4adf_306908410129a579289ff122cc71cbe04f71a849_medium_jpg.jpg?v=1789600576"},{"product_id":"camera-obscura-camera-obscura-t-shirt","title":"Camera Obscura - Camera Obscura T-shirt","description":"\u003cp\u003eCreated to celebrate \u003cstrong\u003eCamera Obscura\u003c\/strong\u003e's return to Merge Records and their 2024 album \u003ca href=\"\/products\/camera-obscura-look-to-the-east-look-to-the-west\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eLook to the East, Look to the West\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e. Exclusive 5-color design on a white, 100% combed ring-spun cotton unisex tee. Made in USA.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"merge records","offers":[{"title":"Small","offer_id":52739353936183,"sku":"MRG839-TS-S","price":24.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0966\/3935\/3143\/files\/b5910e73019cfa1f2141286cc561107b33d79dd1_e38b362807f3875aad179d19da70d2dcb85b92d0_medium_jpg.jpg?v=1785382605"},{"product_id":"camera-obscura-look-to-the-demos-ep","title":"Camera Obscura - Look to the Demos EP","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginally issued as a bonus CD included with the Rough Trade exclusive version of \u003ca href=\"\/products\/camera-obscura-look-to-the-east-look-to-the-west\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eLook to the East, Look to the West\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ci\u003eLook to the Demos\u003c\/i\u003e is as much of a revelation as the album, pulling back the curtain on the creative process of a record that was years in the making. Without the embellishment of a full band, the elegiac overtones of songs like “Liberty Print” become more evident, while others, like “Baby Huey (Hard Times)” are recast as a perfect accompaniment for a twilight drive.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"merge records","offers":[{"title":"Download","offer_id":52739357376823,"sku":"MRG839digital-EP","price":4.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0966\/3935\/3143\/files\/eab933783a782e03433d7795d733ce1c96c667e9_3c53d9228f218063f3e89bec55772fff6b965f4e_medium_jpg.jpg?v=1785382698"}],"url":"https:\/\/mergerecords.com\/collections\/camera-obscura.oembed","provider":"Merge Records","version":"1.0","type":"link"}