Oasis are big news at the time of writing. Not only have they reissued a more complete and definitive version of their classic 1994 debut album Definitely Maybe, but they have also sold out many dates on their recently announced 2025 Reunion Tour. This is a step in the right direction for the Gallagher brothers, who are the core of Oasis and who butted heads for years on end after they split back in 2009. Before the main 2024 reissue of Definitely Maybe was released, they released some promotional singles to give a taste test of their music just before that album was released. This is the final single release to promote the reissued album before that reissue was released. Oasis’s personnel at the time were: Liam Gallagher (vocals); Noel Gallagher (guitars and backing vocals); Bonehead (rhythm guitar); Guigsy (bass guitar) and Tony McCarroll (drums). Let’s take a listen to this single, and we shall hear if it is any good.

Sad Song – Mauldeth Road West Demo, Nov’ 92 is a very early Oasis recording, especially considering that they were not signed to Creation Records until 1993. It begins with some very melancholy and well-played 12-string acoustic guitar, and some clean electric guitars to match it. Liam Gallagher sings this one, and he sounds touching, moving and wonderful in this song. It sounds fantastic throughout, which is actually really different than what you would expect. Nonetheless, this is a fantastic recording and it exudes power and magic. Oasis is still a fantastic band to listen to today, and this release proves that. A genuinely good listen, and a song that is a bit of a tearjerker. Brilliant music. A really interesting and moody tune that predates the melancholy music of both Radiohead and Coldplay. Oasis fans will love this tune, although it is extremely depressing to listen to. There is a key lyric line in it: “Don’t throw it all away, at the end of the day”, which makes perfect sense. All in all, it’s a very brilliant song to listen to. Reassuring and life-affirming. Some great 12-string acoustic guitar playing at the end is here. Very, very awesome. If you need an Oasis song to cry to, this is the one. Excellent.

Up In The Sky – Monnow Valley Version is the first version of the song from the failed Monnow Valley recordings of Definitely Maybe. It begins with the clacking of drumsticks and launches into some gritty and overdriven guitars, followed by acoustic guitars and drums. Liam Gallagher sings beautifully and wonderfully throughout, and his voice is unmatchable in the history of music. A thrilling and enjoyable listen from start to finish, this quite clearly is a winner. This is very different from the 1994 Definitely Maybe album original, it sounds more interesting, natural and pure throughout. A highly enjoyable and interesting song from start to finish. Noel Gallagher also has some killer harmonies on this song, and it certainly comes alive here. Some fans may argue over which version is better of the three album versions on the 2024 reissue, but this does sound uplifting, punchy and fantastic throughout. Again, Oasis succeeds at making naturally good-sounding Rock Music. A cool and enjoyable listen from start to finish. A really great and interesting song that sounds sweet. Liam’s falsetto and Noel’s backing vocals both sound youthful, accurate and interesting. This song wraps up with the electric guitar riff, with some acoustic guitar overdubs and slows right down at the end. It finishes with an acoustic guitar-based riff section. Sweet.

Columbia – Sawmills Outtake launches right into it, with some loud and heavily feedback-laden guitars. It quickly enters into the riff-heavy song that sounds very amazing. Liam Gallagher sings on time and in tune here, and he already sounds like a Rock God at this point of recording time. His falsetto in the chorus is absolutely amazing, and it proves how great a singer he was, especially before the original Definitely Maybe was released. This is a great guitar jam-based tune that has energy, power and brilliance throughout. Noel and Liam Gallagher proved to the world how really great they were from the start, and we are very lucky to have a band that revived Rock Music during the 1990s. Their influence on that matter lasts to this very day. The guitar playing and rhythm section continues after the vocals have finished. Noel Gallagher’s guitar playing is really fantastic throughout here, in particular. In the centre of the song is a stab lyrically at the media, and Oasis sounds great. Some rather ordinary vocals follow with the “C’mon, c’mon, c’mon, yeah yeah yeah!” and some other lyrics that were cut from the final version of the song. Noel’s soloing is also a bit of an acquired taste in this song. In any case, this is a real treat for Oasis fans out there. A good version, but the listener is likely in agreeance about the fact that this isn’t as good as the final version of the 1994 album release. Still, this does sound really great for what it is musically. As we approach the end of the song, one can get a great sense that this band was a fired-up and brilliantly musically talented unit. It ends with sustained guitar chords and some rather ordinary feedback. Good but not perfect.

Although this is merely a sample of the great band of Oasis, it is a really awesome listening experience from start to finish. Understandably, the group used some songs from the first two failed attempts of recording their debut album, Definitely Maybe. However, these songs still hold up today as brilliant listens and something that one can appreciate. A must for any fans of Rock Music. Should you listen to this release? Definitely give it a try, the songs on it are awesome. Those who do not like loud Rock Music may not dig this, however.

A great sample of early Oasis.

9/10