"Gala" is the debut compilation album by the British alternative rock band Lush, released in late 1990 by 4AD as an introduction to the US and Japanese markets. The album serves as a collection of the band's earliest releases, compiling tracks from their 1989 debut mini-album Scar and their 1990 EPs Mad Love and Sweetness and Light, all arranged in reverse chronological order. Additionally, Gala includes two special tracks: a cover of ABBA's "Hey Hey Helen," recorded for an abandoned anti-poll tax compilation, and a rerecorded version of "Scarlet" from the Scar EP, which had previously appeared on the Gigantic! 2 compilation.
Gala was released on November 13, 1990, in the United States via 4AD/Reprise, and on November 21, 1990, in Japan via 4AD/Nippon Columbia. The album was released later in the UK on December 3, 1990, in limited editions across CD, LP, and cassette formats. To promote Gala, Lush embarked on a brief North American tour and a short tour of Japan. In the US, "De-Luxe," one of the album's standout tracks, was released as a promotional single and garnered significant radio airplay, eventually charting at No. 14 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart.
Lush's promotional tours of the US and Japan were well received. In North America, they played eight shows across the continent, including dates in Toronto, New York, and Los Angeles. The Japanese leg of the tour, which included sold-out dates in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya, earned the band early recognition in Japan, although lead vocalist and guitarist Miki Berenyi expressed some skepticism about the band's actual level of fame, humorously comparing it to an American band claiming to have "sold out" a smaller venue in the UK.
While Gala did not chart upon its release, it was generally well received by critics in both the US and the UK, with the compilation helping establish Lush's reputation as an emerging force in the alternative rock scene. "De-Luxe" became a key track for the band, gaining airplay and recognition, particularly in the United States.
Gala played a significant role in introducing Lush's dreamy, shoegaze-influenced sound to a wider international audience, especially in markets outside the UK. The album was particularly important for the band's early success in Japan, a country where they developed a dedicated following.
"De-Luxe" became one of the band's most recognized songs and helped establish their early success in the US alternative rock scene. "Scarlet" is a re-recorded version of the track from Scar, which had already gained attention through its inclusion on the Gigantic! 2 compilation, offering a glimpse of Lush's evolving sound. "Hey Hey Helen" is a unique cover of ABBA's 1975 song, originally recorded for an abandoned anti-poll tax compilation, showcasing Lush’s ability to reimagine pop songs with their signature alternative style.
Gala remains a key release in Lush's early catalog, offering a window into the band's formative years and helping cement their place in the UK and international alternative rock scenes.
