The true gold for fans, however, lies on the second disc. This collection of 18 rare tracks provides an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at the writing and recording of Scoundrel Days . The disc includes:
When Norwegian trio a-ha released their debut album, Hunting High and Low , in 1985, they were instantly rocketed to global superstardom. Propelled by the synth-pop perfection of "Take On Me" and its iconic pencil-sketch music video, the band was packaged as clean-cut, teen-magazine heartthrobs. Yet, beneath the glossy exterior lay three serious musicians—Morten Harket, Pål Waaktaar-Savoy, and Magne Furuholmen—who grew quickly frustrated by the pop-idol stigma.
: The expanded edition includes a wealth of rare material:
: The most successful single from the album in the U.S., peaking at #50 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Originally released on , Scoundrel Days was a deliberate creative pivot. Following the global explosion of "Take On Me," a-ha chose to avoid "pop star straight-jacketing" by leaning into atmospheric, guitar-heavy arrangements and Morten Harket’s most powerful vocal performances. Scoundrel Days (Deluxe Edition) - Album by a-ha | Spotify aha scoundrel days remastered and expanded upd
Arguably the band’s finest compositional achievement, this track is a masterclass in dynamic contrast. It seamlessly transitions from a gentle, harpsichord-driven pop ballad written by Furuholmen into a roaring, heavy-metal-adjacent rock chorus written by Waaktaar. The remaster perfectly balances these colliding genres without losing the warmth of either.
The set includes the 12-inch extended versions of "I’ve Been Losing You," "Cry Wolf," and "Manhattan Skyline," which were essential for 80s dance clubs and offered a longer, more immersive experience of these synth-heavy masterpieces. Live in Croydon
Scoundrel Days (Deluxe Edition) - Album by a-ha - Apple Music
Includes "This Alone Is Love" (original version) and "Days On End" (demo). Live Tracks: The true gold for fans, however, lies on the second disc
Features the original 10-track album, including hits like "I've Been Losing You," "Manhattan Skyline," and "Cry Wolf," all remastered for superior sound quality. Includes three extended remixes
"Found," she said. "With a note—'Remember me well.'"
: Features the rare 7-minute extended version of "I've Been Losing You" and the highly sought-after 8-minute extended mix of "Cry Wolf". Disc 2: Demos, Alternates, and Live Material
When a-ha burst onto the scene in 1985 with "Take on Me," they were instantly branded as the latest teen-pop sensations. While their debut album, Hunting High and Low , was a massive success, it was their 1986 follow-up that proved they were not a one-hit-wonder or a manufactured boy band. Scoundrel Days was a darker, more mature, and profoundly more atmospheric record. Propelled by the synth-pop perfection of "Take On
He flicked a cigarette apart with two fingers, short as the day. "I handle days that need handling."
Note: Some versions, particularly download editions, included even more exclusive tracks such as "I've Been Losing You (Dub)" and alternative early demos not listed in all physical pressings.
When a-ha entered the studio in 1986, they faced immense pressure to follow up their chart-topping debut, Hunting High and Low . Instead of copying their previous bright pop formula, Morten Harket, Magne Furuholmen, and Pål Waaktaar-Savoy pivoted toward a brooding, cinematic soundscape.