"Hyæna," the sixth studio album by English rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees, emerged on June 8, 1984, under Polydor Records. This album showcased the band's artistic evolution, featuring the opening track "Dazzle," which incorporated stirring strings performed by the London Symphonic Orchestra (LSO), known as the "Chandos Players." Notably, "Dazzle" was crafted from a melody initially composed by Siouxsie Sioux on piano.
A significant aspect of "Hyæna" was the collaboration with guitarist Robert Smith of The Cure, marking the only studio album where Smith contributed to Siouxsie and the Banshees' sound. In the United States, the album marked a pivotal moment as it was the band's first studio release on Geffen Records, a move that also led to the reissue of their entire catalog by the label.
The album's single "Dear Prudence" had already achieved considerable success in the UK, reaching number 3 the previous year. Its inclusion in the US version of "Hyæna" contributed to the album's success in America, becoming the first Siouxsie and the Banshees album to enter the Billboard 200 chart.
In subsequent years, "Hyæna" received reissues, including a remastered, expanded CD edition in 2009 and a 180-gram vinyl reissue in December 2018. These releases ensured that the album's legacy continued to be celebrated by both longtime fans and new listeners alike, solidifying its place in the pantheon of influential rock albums.
