In 2023 we began our hugely successful 80s 12 series on CD a year-by-year journey through the greatest 12 singles from the decade, and in 2024 we presented a selection of tracks from 1980-1982 as the first volume in our collectible vinyl boxset series, followed by Volume Two celebrating 1983-1984 in 2025.

This year, Now Music is proud to announce the third instalment in this essential collection, NOW Presents12″ 80s: Volume Three: 1985-1986, as a stunning 5-LP boxset. A limited edition and numbered set with each of the 5-LPs pressed on a different colour vinyl red, yellow, blue, hot pink and lime green to be released on July 17th, 2026, and for many of these tracks this marks the first time back on vinyl since their original 12 release!

Opening with one of the decades most powerful rock anthems, Queens One Vision appears in its Extended Version, ahead of Eurythmics euphoric There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart) in the Special Dance Mix and Dead Or Alives irresistible You Spin Me Round (Like A Record). Side A closes with Frankie Goes To Hollywood and the epic Welcome To The Pleasuredome (An Alternative To Reality). Flip the LP over for more iconic 12 versions from 1985, beginning with Tears For Fears and the UK Extended Version of Shout, alongside Go Wests We Close Our Eyes (The Total Overhang Mix), the massive soundtrack hit Dont You (Forget About Me) from Simple Minds and Arcadias sophisticated Election Day (Consensus Mix).

LP2 opens with four defining tracks that perfectly capture the electronic and cinematic sound of the mid-80s. Paul Hardcastles groundbreaking hit 19 (The Destruction Mix) leads into two instrumental classics: Harold Faltermeyers Axel F and Jan Hammers Miami Vice Theme, both featured in their Extended Versions, before Propagandas peerless Duel (Bitter-Sweet) closes the side. Side B showcases some of the eras biggest dancefloor favourites, from Mel & Kims Showing Out (Get Fresh At The Weekend) and Gwen Guthries enduring club anthem Aint Nothin Goin On But The Rent, to Aretha Franklins Whos Zoomin Who? in its Dance Mix and the soul-pop brilliance of Loose Ends Hangin On A String (Extended Dance Mix).

LP3 brings together some of the decades most beloved pop and rock crossover hits. Side A opens with the powerhouse pairing of Philip Bailey and Phil Collins on Easy Lover (Extended Dance Remix), followed by Bonnie Tylers dramatic Holding Out For A Hero (Club Mix) and Pat Benatars classic Love Is A Battlefield (Extended Version). Stephen Duffys infectious Kiss Me (Mixe Plural) precedes The Human Leagues U.S. #1 Human (Extended Version). Over on Side B, Duran Duran lead with the Extended Mix of Notorious before a run of timeless dance-pop including Sly Foxs Lets Go All The Way, Jellybeans Sidewalk Talk and Maria Vidals Body Rock, culminating with Ashford & Simpsons club classic ear-worm Solid (Special Club Mix).

LP4 opens with huge examples of sophisticated synth-pop and dance-floor innovation from 1986. Pet Shop Boys era-defining West End Girls (Dance Mix) is joined by New Orders influential Bizarre Love Triangle (Extended Dance Mix). Up next, Red Boxs pure-pop of For America (Bazooka Mix) and Nick Kamens breakthrough hit Each Time You Break My Heart (Extended Version). The reverse side celebrates some of the biggest floor-fillers of 1986 all in their 12 Versions, beginning with The Communards with Sarah Jane Morris and their unforgettable #1 version of Dont Leave Me This Way, alongside Bronski Beats Hit That Perfect Beat, Bananaramas global smash Venus and Five Stars Cant Wait Another Minute in its M&M New York Remix form.

The final LP opens with a side packed with some of the most enduring dance-pop and of the era. Whitney Houstons How Will I Know (Dance Remix) is followed by Steve Winwoods uplifting Remix of his massive hit Higher Love, the celebrated Shep Pettibone Remix of Level 42s Lessons In Love and Bryan Ferrys elegant and atmospheric Slave To Love (12″ Remix), whilst over on the final side some of the years most distinctive and innovative sounds are showcased: Big Audio Dynamites genre-blending E=MC2 (12 Inch Remix) and Furnitures cult classic Brilliant Mind (12″ Mix) feature alongside Talk Talks majestic Extended Mix of Lifes What You Make It, and to close this superb collection, the full Extended Version of Spandau Ballets powerful Through The Barricades provides a fitting finale, bringing together 42 essential 12 versions from 1985 and 1986 across five superb LPs.

A Limited Edition, Numbered, 5-LP coloured vinyl boxset NOW Presents12 80s: Volume Three: 1985-1986 is released on July 17th 2026.