Listen to an unreleased song by The Kinks

As the 50th anniversary approaches for The Kinks' album The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society, the iconic rock band has shared a previously unreleased track.

Speaking about Time Song, frontman Ray Davies explains, ‘When we played a concert at Drury Lane in '73 to 'celebrate' us about to join what was called The Common Market, I decided to use the song as a warning that time was running out for the old British Empire. This song was recorded a few weeks later but never made the final cut on the Preservation Act I album. Oddly enough, the song seems quite poignant and appropriate to release at this time in British history, and like Europe itself, the track is a rough mix which still has to be finessed.’

Alongside the reveal of "Time Song", The Kinks are set to release a 50th anniversary edition of The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society, which will include the new track.

Davies explains what The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society means to him, “I think The Village Green Preservation Society is about the ending of a time personally for me in my life. In my imaginary village. It’s the end of our innocence, our youth. Some people are quite old but in the Village Green, you’re never allowed to grow up. I feel the project itself as part of a life cycle.”

In the deluxe box set you can expect extensive sleeve notes, interviews, photography and two essays on the album written by Pete Townshend and renowned journalist Kate Mossman.

London’s Proud Central Gallery will also be hosting an exhibition on The Kinks, running from 4 October until 18 November. The exhibition documents the time around the VGPS album, and all work is hand-signed by Ray Davies, Dave Davies, and Mick Avory.