The early years of Rhode Island band Throwing Muses were documented in vivid, unsparing detail in Kristin Hersh's 2010 memoir Rat Girl (also known by its superior European title Paradoxical Undressing), but the album that she wrote about has long been out of print on physical media.

That all changes on December 11 when 4AD release a 40th anniversary edition of Throwing Muses, freshly remastered by Kevin Vanbergen and featuring the original artwork by Chris Bigg. There are no new songs, demos, or alt. versions though, only the ten original tracks and no frills, just as the Muses intended.

There is some limited edition apparel to be had though, besides the black and oxblood vinyl editions, for sale through 4AD and Bandcamp.

Throwing Muses were, famously, the first American band ever signed to 4AD, the British label co-founded by Ivo Watts-Russell in 1979, and Hersh was heavily pregnant during the recordings. Technically, or at least according to the band, the 1986 release is actually untitled, and Throwing Muses is the name they gave to their 2003 release, which broke an almost seven-year silence.

The band are, of course, still going, though without Hersh's half-sister Tanya Donnelly or original bassist Leslie Langston. Their 11th album, Moonlight Concessions, was released in March 2025 via Fire Records.