Reflektor, the fourth studio album by Arcade Fire, was released in October 2013 and was primarily recorded at Sonovox Studios in Montreal, with additional sessions taking place in Jamaica at Geejam Studios and in New York. The album was produced by the band alongside Markus Dravs, their longtime collaborator, with significant creative input from LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy, who served as co-producer and helped shape the album's dance-oriented, electronic-infused sound. Murphy's influence pushed the band toward longer, groove-based arrangements incorporating elements of Haitian rara music, disco, and krautrock, marking a notable departure from their previous guitar-driven art rock. The recording sessions were notably expansive, with the band experimenting with analog synthesizers, layered percussion, and extended jam sessions that were then edited down. The album was mixed by Craig Silvey and mastered by Bob Ludwig, and its double-album format and thematic ambition drew comparisons to works by David Bowie and Talking Heads, reflecting the band's desire to challenge expectations following the mainstream success of The Suburbs.
Digisko uses an anonymous analytics cookie (Google Analytics) to understand which albums and pressings get the most attention. No tracking until you accept.
9 cataloged · sorted by audiophile score
Sign in to add releases to your collection and vote for the best edition.
Merge Records, Sonovox Records — MRG485A
The original US Merge vinyl pressing is the most discussed version; SHF users consider it a solid pressing with good dynamics, though some note mild surface noise issues and feel the album's production limits the vinyl's potential.
Sonovox Records — 3752119
European vinyl pressing is generally regarded as decent but not superior to the US Merge pressing; some users note slightly quieter surfaces compared to the US counterpart.
Sonovox Records — 19075874401
2018 European vinyl reissue is occasionally mentioned as a more readily available alternative to the original Merge pressing; no consensus that it improves upon the 2013 vinyl sonically.
Sonovox Records — MRG485B-1
Canadian CD pressing considered essentially identical to the US CD; no special audiophile merit noted but regarded as a perfectly fine standard edition.
Sonovox Records — MRG485B
Standard US CD release; SHF consensus is that it sounds fine but the album's dense production doesn't particularly reward CD vs. vinyl comparison—functional but unremarkable from an audiophile standpoint.
Sonovox Records — 3752118
Australian CD pressing rarely discussed; considered identical to other standard CD editions with no notable mastering differences.
Sonovox Records — 19075874402
2018 European CD reissue has received little specific attention on SHF; assumed to carry the same mastering as the original 2013 CD with no reported improvements.
Sony Music CG — 0886447165850
Sony Music CG — 0886447460344