Radiohead B-Sides Disappear from Streaming Sites as Catalogue Shifts from Parlophone to XL

BY Sarah MurphyPublished Apr 5, 2016

Keen Radiohead fans pointed out on Reddit yesterday (April 4) that a slew of the band's B-sides had been removed from streaming sites like Spotify and Apple Music. In addition to shining a light on the missing tracks, the investigative fans also pointed out that the remaining albums are now attributed to XL Recordings rather than Parlophone.
 
The move has been confirmed by Spotify, with a representative explaining on Twitter that the group's catalogue has changed labels. While special edition LPs and singles have been removed from the streaming service, the core catalogue remains in tact.
 

A spokesperson for XL released a statement, which reads: "This is the first step in the transfer of Radiohead's back catalogue from Parlophone to XL. The main albums are being made available in their original form as a start, before non-LP material is reconfigured."
 
Radiohead has previously worked with XL for the release of In Rainbows and The King of Limbs, as well as on side projects like Thom Yorke's The Eraser and Atoms for Peace's Amok.
 
Warner Music acquired the catalogue's home of Parlophone in 2013, and a statement from the company [via Billboard] reads: "We are making good progress with the voluntary divestment process that Impala/Merlin and WMG agreed as part of our acquisition of Parlophone Label Group. Numerous independent labels are involved in these negotiations and we are not commenting on individual deals at this stage. We expect to make a joint announcement with Impala/Merlin in due course."
 
XL Recordings, meanwhile, operate under Beggars Group, who took issue with Apple Music's free trial streaming model in a public letter upon its launch last year.
 
Radiohead have yet to confirm any details about their upcoming album, though artistic collaborator Stanley Donwood had some nice things to say about the still unfinished record. The band are expected to play the new album in its entirety at Primavera Festival this summer, and have also scheduled a headlining slot at Osheaga in Montreal.
 

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