Bruce Springsteen Confirms New Lost Albums Collection, 'Tracks III'

The ever-prolific Bruce Springsteen has announced another new collection of lost albums, confirming the existence of the forthcoming Tracks III.

Springsteen’s comments were revealed in a new profile with the New York Times, in which he reflected on the recent trawling through the archives which resulted in the forthcoming Tracks II box set.

“Tracks III, that is finished,” Springsteen explained. “It’s basically what was left in the vault.”

But what exactly is left in The Boss’ vault? Per Springsteen’s explanation, it’s material that goes back over 50 years to the sessions for his 1973 debut, Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J., and even traces forward to 2024. “So there was a lot of good music left,” he adds. “There are five full albums of music.”

Springsteen’s comments come just days before the release of Tracks II on June 27th, which is itself a collection of – as its subtitle explains – Lost Albums which have been rescued from the 1983-2018 timespan. It’s a follow-up to 1998’s Tracks, and features records such as L.A. Garage Sessions '83, Streets Of Philadelphia Sessions, Twilight Hours, Perfect World, and more.

Most notably though, the collection doesn’t feature one of the most elusive and sought-after Springsteen releases, the electric version of his 1982 Nebraska album.

A sparse, and largely acoustic precursor to 1984’s Born In The U.S.A., debate has raged as to whether a full set of these full-band tracks would ever arrive. Members of Springsteen’s E Street Band have also expressed doubt the recordings would see the light of day, stating that the record which was released in 1982 is the best representation of the songwriting and performance at that time.

Elsewhere in his profile, Springsteen also reflected on the status of an album proper, explaining that the records collected on his Tracks II set are full albums as opposed to compilations of disparate tracks.

"[A record] is exactly what it says it is,” he explains. “It is a record of who you are and where you were at that moment in your life. These were actual albums that were of a piece, of a moment, of a genre — that fell together, often while working on other albums.”

Given that the apparently forthcoming Tracks III will feature recordings from 2024, it remains to be seen what their original purpose was. Considering Springsteen’s most recent full-length release was 2022’s Only The Strong Survive, it’s unclear if these cuts were attempts at a new album or an entirely separate project. Time will tell.