Queen’s Debut Album ‘Queen I’ Remastered in Dolby Atmos: A Sonic Revelation
Queen fans, prepare for a sonic upgrade! The legendary band is revisiting their 1973 self-titled debut album, 'Queen I,' with a brand new Dolby Atmos mix set to release on a limited edition audiophile Blu-ray. This isn't just a remaster; it's a complete rebuild, promising to immerse listeners in the band's groundbreaking sound like never before. Why is this important? Because it offers a fresh perspective on a classic album and showcases the band's innovative approach to music production.
According to Brian May, the guitarist extraordinaire, this new version, retitled 'Queen I,' features a revisit of every instrument to achieve the live, ambient sound the band originally envisioned. May excitedly shared, "I'm particularly excited about this new Dolby Atmos version of what we now call QUEEN 1... There are now a few nice adventurous Easter eggs in there, which those who know the album intimately will hopefully enjoy. So the Blu-ray version is an update from the version that has currently been available to stream. Nobody has ever heard our first album quite like this !!!"
Roger Taylor echoed May's enthusiasm, stating, "At last, we get our first album to sound as we imagined it should sound… phew!"
The project was overseen by Queen's long-standing audio-production team, including Justin Shirley-Smith, Joshua J Macrae, and Kris Fredriksson. Shirley-Smith emphasized the natural fit of Queen's music for immersive formats, stating "It always feels like Queen's music was designed for immersive formats. It’s dramatic and powerful and has a lot of dynamics. The original album was recorded more than 50 years ago, but it was so ambitious musically, rhythmically and lyrically. It’s beyond belief really, and it’s such a joy for us to work on."
The Blu-ray will feature several audio streams, including the 2024 Dolby Atmos Mix, Stereo Mix (96kHz/24bit), and Stereo Backing Tracks (96kHz/24bit). May also confirmed that the Atmos Mix on the Blu-ray has been updated from the streaming version due to him having a “health hiccup.”
But what makes this Dolby Atmos mix so special? According to Shirley-Smith, the team created stems from the 2024 stereo mix, allowing them to individually process and pan each musical part. This brings "new depth and dimensions to an album already bursting with invention."
The 'Queen I' Dolby Atmos Audiophile Blu-ray is currently available for preorder and is scheduled for release on June 13, 2025. This is a must-have for any serious Queen fan, offering a unique and immersive listening experience.
With the help of Lewis Jones at Abbey Road, where they have a great mix studio equipped with all the speakers required, Queen was able to deliver an incredible immersive sound of their first album.
Are you excited to hear Queen's debut album in Dolby Atmos? What are your expectations for this enhanced listening experience? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!