Mogwai preview upcoming compilation album with new song "Underground", featuring Iggy Pop

Happy Tears will be released on the band's own Rock Action Records, which also celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. The collection features highlights and rarities from across the band's discography, including a previous digital-only single and a special re-working of "New Paths to Helicon 1," titled "Brand New Paths to Helicon 1," featuring the Budapest Art Orchestra, orchestrated by Adam Wiltzie. Alongside the announcement, "Underground" arrives as the first preview of the compilation.

In his book Spaceships Over Glasgow: Mogwai, Mayhem and Misspent Youth, Stuart Braithwaite writes of how Iggy Pop — both solo and with The Stooges — is a defining artist in his life. "Hearing the Stooges had been a life-changing moment for me," he writes. "It was druggy, dumb and completely primal. I'd never heard anything quite like it."

Speaking about their collaboration, Iggy Pop says: "I've always liked Mogwai. The opening of the track reminded me of the crushing modern loneliness. The sung vocal, which was arranged by Matt Sweeney, felt like it was made for someone who is pissed off and doesn't mind saying so."

Happy Tears will also be available in 2xLP and 4xLP versions, as well as 2xCD and digital download. The special 4xLP and 2xCD editions feature 13 additional tracks, six of which are previously unreleased, alongside two remixes, two live tracks and three rarities. Alongside the collection, Mogwai have teamed up with creative studio Cup & Nuzzle for a feature-length audio documentary, Happy Tears: The Story of Mogwai, narrated by BBC 6 Music presenter Matt Everitt, which sees the band tell their story in their own words for the first time.

"I never thought we'd be making eleven records, because hardly any bands I liked ever did," Braithwaite says in the documentary. "We're doing it being weirdo Scottish instrumental misery mongers. Like, yeah, that's pretty wild."

Mogwai are also set to play a run of shows Europe this November, culminating in two special hometown shows at Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall. The tour follows a summer of festival dates and one-off performances, will see the band performing songs from across their discography, including their eleventh studio album The Bad Fire, released last year.

Happy Tears artwork

Happy Tears tracklist (2xLP)

"Yes! I Am A Long Way From Home"
"I'm Jim Morrison I'm Dead"
"Hunted By A Freak"
"Take Me Somewhere Nice"
"Boltfor"
"CODY"
"Brand New Paths to Helicon 1"
"How To Be A Werewolf"
"Auto Rock"
"Remurdered"
"Ritchie Sacramento"
"Lion Rumpus"
"Underground (feat. Iggy Pop)"

4xLP & 2xCD additional tracks
"Angels vs Aliens"
"Die 1 Dislike!"
"Ether (with The KNDS Fairey Band - Live)"
"The Sun Smells Too Loud (Holden remix)"
"If Not Destroyed: True"
"Full Blast Michael"
"Hingmy Malmsteen"
"Dracula Family"
"Harry Patter"
"Ritchie Sacramento (Other Two remix)"
"Nick Drake"
"Owl Mince"
"Mogwai Fear Satan (Live)"