The Discussion of MJ's Unreleased Tracks

I do like the songs we’re hearing. But, they do lessen the pain of not having the 11th studio album. The reality of the tracks aren’t as exciting as the idea based on that sheet of paper in the bedroom.
Let’s also not forget that it is highly likely that very little from this list would have actually made it onto an album.

If the creative process followed a similar path to the Invincible sessions, Michael would have started working with a big producer and developed tracks with him. Likely dance tracks.

And they would have made up a substantial portion of the album anyway.
 
I definitely see what you're saying, and indeed, I think it has a lot to do with how he composed and thus the sound/production of his demos.

I can play a Prince demo, where it's just his voice and a guitar, and think "man, this is genius!" But that has a lot to do with the fact that the guitar is a very organic, beautiful-on-its-own instrument, and that Prince is a fantastic rhythm player. As a result, the demo already sounds amazing in its stripped down form. Similarly, if you've got a tight, well-oiled machine of a band, a first stab at a demo will often sound great already (sometimes even better than the tinkered-with final product).

But MJ's demos tend to feature very rudimentary and sequenced electronic accompaniment - a basic drum machine track, a stock, cheap-sounding synth patch, etc. Listening to his demos thus is much more of an exercise in imagining what it could sound like, rather than an amazing listening experience on its own. While I do think there's some truth to the notion that (for most of his career) he only really fleshed out the ideas he felt had most potential (and there is thus not a massive pool of incredible, Billie Jean-level undeveloped ideas), I think his demos - as ideas for compositions - are generally totally fine. I think the genius jumps out most in the vocal harmonies, the catchiness of some of the melodies/hooks, and (for the more uptempo tracks) their grooves.
You absolutely nailed it. Couldn’t have said it any better. Perfectly put.
 
I'm still thinking about how the new Days in Gloucestershire leak could be the final 2008 mix, considering there are clearly mumbled lyrics in some parts.
It‘s called the final in so far, that it‘s the last mix that was worked on.

Not the final thing that would have found it‘s way onto the next potential album.
For that, there would be finished lyrics, final studio recorded „MJ all out“ vocals. As well as proper instrumentation, mixing & mastering.
 
There was an instrumental of Family Think leaked too? And Innocent Man?

It's impossible to keep up, has anyone made a list? Those YouTube videos are all long.
 
There was an instrumental of Family Think leaked too? And Innocent Man?

It's impossible to keep up, has anyone made a list? Those YouTube videos are all long.
All the original files (no rips, unless stated) are throughout my posts, you can find them there.
 
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Alright...

Adore You 7.5/10 - Kind of mundane... until that choir hits. Such an epic build-up, this song is like the evil version of "Will You Be There" through and through. Although we practically heard everything the song had to offer before I'm still happy that it leaked, and that we're able to listen to it in one consistent melody. I wonder how the verses would've sounded in this, it hurts to never be able to know how this song would've evolved.

Bombay Nights 3/10 - Just a drum loop. Nothing to comment on it.

Bottom Of My Heart - 7/10 - Soothing, but with cool haunting undertones. This song makes me feel nostalgic even though it's the first time any of us are even hearing it. I honestly can't imagine how Michael's vocals could've sounded in this, to me it works just fine as a piece

Dream Girl 5/10 - Sounds like a soundtrack from a PS1 game, think there's a certain charm to it lol.

Family Thing (Bryan Loren's mix) 5/10 - It's a cool groove but why was "Family Thing" turned into a NJS song 😭 it's like an "Xscape" type of "contemporization" was applied to this song where it does a complete 180 on the vision Michael had. Such a weird change. All in all Teddy Riley's version is better.

Hallucination 7/10 - It's a cool song with a charming hook, Steve Porcaro's songs already sounded excellent before Michael even had a hand on them, but I can't really see it suiting Michael. I understand why "For All Time" was picked instead. This song should've been given to another artist after Michael turned it down.

Innocent Man 7.5/10 - When the first snippet leaked I didn't care much about it, I thought the vocals sounded too out of place with what seemed to be a slow ballad and overall didn't think the song would do much for me but I ended up liking it far more than what I anticipated. It does drag itself out a bit, but there are so many cool parts in it, that guitar solo slaps. Interesting production all in all.

Neverland Landing 8/10 - It's so corny that it hurts but at the same time it sounds great, I missed hearing these types of light, carefree songs from Michael's earlier eras. This is one of the main ones that has been stuck in my head, the lyrics "feeling! seeing! loving! being!" are so catchy. Love this song. Although it's one of the rare songs in the vaut that's 100% complete I don't think it could ever fit in a posthumous album. At least not the kind the Estate usually makes.

Remember What I Told Yoooouuuuuuu And Remember For All Tiiiime
squidward-sad-squidward.gif

Amazing, incredible, simply etherreal, like Michael sent this from the afterlife. It's a crime that this song hasn't been released, it would've been such a good fit for the "This Is It" soundtrack. It has to be put out there. Out of all the leaks this is the song I see get talked about on Twitter and it's not without a reason, Damien wasn't wrong in the slightest when he said that fans would love it, it really feels like a gift to us. 9/10. Only fault is that it's too short.

Rocker 9/10 - Can't decide whether to choose this or "Remember What I Told You" as the best leak, this song has so much energy which is a contrast in comparison to practically all of the songs we heard from the same time period. This is the angriest of voices at full display, it sounds so thrilling. This and "Just Remember" are the first leaked demos in years to have truly lived up to the hype, can't wait for it to be fully leaked.

World Of Candy 4/10 - This song is far from great but it's too overhated, imho I think "Turnin' Me Off" is more jarring to listen to lol. I think what ruins this song especially is Nisha's vocals, they sound like nails on a chalkboard. They're too loud in comparison to Michael's. Give it new lyrics, a better vocal take, and change up that outro and it's decent.

This has been such a crazy time for leaks, and what's crazier is that we're only 1 week into the new years, imagine what else could be on the horizon? You know the quote "There are decades where nothing happens, and there are weeks where decades happen"? We're all feeling that here lol. It's a pleasure to be able to share the excitement with everyone here!
 
It's impossible to keep up, has anyone made a list? Those YouTube videos are all long.

Early Jan '26 LEAKS

FULL TRACKS / DATs / SESSION VERSIONS
  1. Neverland Landing1983 (original); reworked 2000s — Credits: Michael Jackson & Buz Kohan (orig); later work with Brad Buxer. Source: leaked session tape; version appears tied to early Bad sessions (c. 1986).
  2. Throwin' Your Life Away1988 — Credits: Michael Jackson & Bill Bottrell. Source: high-quality DAT tape (lossless).
  3. Garbage (instrumental)early 1990s — Credits: Bryan Loren (producer). Source: early Dangerous session material.
  4. Can't Let Her Get Away — Extended Mix1991 — Writers: Michael Jackson & Teddy Riley. Producers: Michael Jackson & Teddy Riley. Notes: unreleased take of the rap verse, alternate overall mix with new ad-libs.
  5. Remember The Time — “Korg’s EXTRA Hard Hittin’ Bounce With All The Fellas” Mix1991 — Source: custom mix created by Korgnex using the remix multitrack.
  6. Dream Girl (instrumental)Jul 19, 1993 — Credits: Bryan Loren (producer). Source: DAT timestamped 1993-07-19.
  7. Family Thing (instrumental) — Bryan Loren versiondate unknown — Credits: Bryan Loren. Source: circulated studio version (Larrabee Studios).
  8. Bombay Nights (instrumental)Aug 31, 1994 — Credits: René Moore (producer). Source: HIStory-era session tape.
  9. Innocent Man1994 — Credits: Michael Jackson & Brad Buxer. Source: leaked HIStory-era version.
  10. Much Too Soon — Mix #91994 — Writer: Michael Jackson. Producers: Michael Jackson & Bruce Swedien. Note: MJ felt this mix sounded particularly strong!
  11. ChangesSep 1995 (HIStory era) — Credits: Michael Jackson. Source: circulating complete and unedited, captured from a Korgnex livestream (original mix, no edits).
  12. Shut Up And Dance — writer demo (Eric Kirkland) [V1]Invincible-era (late 1990s) — Credits: Eric Kirkland (demo vocal). Source: circulated demo tape from Invincible sessions.
  13. MJ Brad Loop (3.3.7)2000s sessions — Credits: Michael Jackson & Brad Buxer. Source: now circulating in full, captured from a Korgnex livestream.
  14. Get Your Weight Off Of Me1999–2000 — Writers: Michael Jackson, Rodney Jerkins, Fred Jerkins III, LaShawn Daniels. Producers: Michael Jackson & Rodney Jerkins. Source: HQ lossless version circulating from a Korgnex livestream.
  15. World of Candy2003 — Credits: Michael Jackson & Brad Buxer; duet vocal with Nisha Kataria. Source: circulated studio demo.
  16. Days in GloucestershireRecorded 2004; mix "Bible" c.2008 — Credits: Michael Jackson & Brad Buxer. Notes: alternate instrumentation, removed parts and previously unheard vocals. Source: leaked mix circulating c.2008.
  17. Adore Youc.2004–2005 — Credits: Michael Jackson & Brad Buxer. Source: circulated session demo.
  18. From The Bottom Of My Heartc.2007 — Credits: Michael Jackson & Brad Buxer. Source: now circulating in full, captured from a Korgnex livestream.
  19. Shut Up And Dance — writer demo (Eric Kirkland) [V?]c.2008 — Credits: Eric Kirkland (demo vocal). Notes: reportedly partially edited by leaker; differs from Invincible-era demo. Source: circulated 2008 demo.
  20. Remember What I Told Youreported 2008; additional work Jun 2009 — Credits: Michael Jackson & Brad Buxer. Source: reported by Damien Shields; follow-up work noted by AlwaysThere (June 2009).
  21. Best of Joy — Lead Vocal A Cappella Mix2008 — Credits: Michael Jackson & Brad Buxer (producer). Source: circulating in full, captured from a Korgnex livestream.
  22. Do You Know Where Your Children Are — “Who You Gonna Call Who Can’t” Mix2014 — Source: multitrack-based mix created by Korgnex, using the Timbaland version.
  23. Don't Be Messin' Round — “Korg Redux 2026” — Source: multitrack-based mix created by Korgnex, using an unidentified/unknown source version.
  24. Hallucination — writer demo (Steve Porcaro)date unknown — Credits: Steve Porcaro (writer). Source: circulated demo.

SNIPPETS / PARTIAL CLIPS
  • Loving You — multitrack snippet (HQ)1985 — Source: shared on Motif Discord call.
  • Jane Is A Groupie — long snippet (with call chatter)1989 — Note: includes audible voices from Motif Discord call participants. Source: Motif Discord call.
  • Give In To Me — work / writing session snippet (partial)1990 — Credits: Michael Jackson & Bill Bottrell. Note: ~18 minutes leaked from an estimated 55-minute session. Source: Motif Discord call.
  • Homeless Bound — instrumental snippet1990 — Credits: Bryan Loren (producer). Source: Motif Discord call.
  • Threatened — writer-demo snippetInvincible-era (late 1990s) — Source: Motif Discord call.
  • Xscape — multitrack snippet1999 — Source: Motif Discord call.
  • Rocker — snippets (edited clips)early 2000s — Credits: Michael Jackson & Brad Buxer. Source: circulated snippets.
  • Boy No — snippets2000s — Credits: Michael Jackson & Brad Buxer. Source: circulated snippets.
  • Don't Be Messin' Round — alternate-version snippetdate unknown — Source: Motif Discord call.
  • Heartbreak Hotelsnippet — Source: soundboard recording from the Immortal Cirque du Soleil show, circulated via a Korgnex livestream.
 
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What do you mean by "Fixed version", is it a "remaster" of the leak or is it the og?

Big thanks for all the mega links by the way!
The fixed version is the one that got leaked. I think it got completely fixed up to make it sound as closely as it originally did before the seller messed up the file and sold it.
 
Early Jan '26 LEAKS

FULL TRACKS / DATs / SESSION VERSIONS
  1. Neverland Landing — 1983 (orig); reworked 2000s — Prod: Michael Jackson & Buz Kohan; later work with Brad Buxer. Leaked version appears tied to early Bad sessions (c. 1986).
  2. Throwin' Your Life Away — DAT (lossless), 1988 — Written & produced by Michael Jackson & Bill Bottrell. High-quality DAT leak.
  3. Garbage (instrumental) — early Dangerous sessions (approx. early 1990s) — Producer: Bryan Loren. (very early Dangerous-era instrumental)
  4. Dream Girl (instrumental) — DAT dated Jul 19, 1993 — Producer: Bryan Loren.
  5. Family Thing (instrumental) — Bryan Loren version — Larrabee Studios; date unknown.
  6. Bombay Nights — Aug 31, 1994 — Instrumental produced by René Moore (HIStory sessions).
  7. Innocent Man — 1994 (HIStory era) — Written & produced by Michael Jackson & Brad Buxer; leaked version reportedly from those sessions.
  8. World of Candy — 2003 — Written/produced by Michael Jackson & Brad Buxer; duet vocals with Nisha Kataria.
  9. Days in Gloucestershire — Recorded 2004; leak mix "Bible" c. 2008 — Written & produced by Michael Jackson & Brad Buxer. Alternate instrumentation, removed parts & unheard vocals.
  10. Adore You — c. 2004–2005 — Written & produced by Michael Jackson & Brad Buxer.
  11. Shut Up And Dance — writer demo (Eric Kirkland) [V1] — c. 2008 — Writer demo sung by Eric Kirkland; partially edited by leaker.
  12. Remember What I Told You — reported 2008; additional work Jun 2009 — Written & produced by Michael Jackson & Brad Buxer (sources vary: Damien Shields / @AlwaysThere).
  13. Hallucination — writer demo (Steve Porcaro) — date unknown.

SNIPPETS / PARTIAL CLIPS
  • Changes (snippet) — HIStory-era (Sep 1995) — Initially shared by Korgnex; Motif leak lacks the original drum loop (Korgnex edit).
  • Rocker (snippets) — early 2000s (recording era) — Written & produced by Michael Jackson & Brad Buxer. Long, heavily edited snippets circulate.
  • Boy No (snippets) — 2000s sessions — Written & produced by Michael Jackson & Brad Buxer; partial verse snippets available.
  • Bottom Of My Heart (snippet) — instrumental snippet c. 2007
You Saint.
 
When we only knew the title did anyone else expect Innocent Man to be a more angry song more in the vein of They Don't Care About Us? That song disappointed me a lot
 
Remember What I Told Yoooouuuuuuu And Remember For All Tiiiime
squidward-sad-squidward.gif
That was exactly me listening to it for the first time, #rwity2026 happened sooner than I could ever imagine🥹
World Of Candy 4/10 - This song is far from great but it's too overhated, imho I think "Turnin' Me Off" is more jarring to listen to lol. I think what ruins this song especially is Nisha's vocals, they sound like nails on a chalkboard. They're too loud in comparison to Michael's. Give it new lyrics, a better vocal take, and change up that outro and it's decent.
So basically, throw it away and make a new song😭

No I’m just kidding, you’re right, the Michael only filter sounds better although I still think he pronounces some words so incredibly weird, it’s funny (rainbowww).

Woc MJ only filter:

MJ acapella filter
 
When we only knew the title did anyone else expect Innocent Man to be a more angry song more in the vein of They Don't Care About Us? That song disappointed me a lot
I thought it was gonna be a very sad ballad, we got something inbetween. I like it a lot tho, sad he never finished it.
 
When we only knew the title did anyone else expect Innocent Man to be a more angry song more in the vein of They Don't Care About Us? That song disappointed me a lot
I expected it to be closer to “Childhood” or “You Are Not Alone” personally. It reads very tragic. I absolutely love the instrumental though, especially the bridge—just absolutely stunning. It’s a little too peppy sounding for HIStory though.
 
Early Jan '26 LEAKS

FULL TRACKS / DATs / SESSION VERSIONS
  1. Neverland Landing — 1983 (orig); reworked 2000s — Prod: Michael Jackson & Buz Kohan; later work with Brad Buxer. Leaked version appears tied to early Bad sessions (c. 1986).
  2. Throwin' Your Life Away — DAT (lossless), 1988 — Written & produced by Michael Jackson & Bill Bottrell. High-quality DAT leak.
  3. Garbage (instrumental) — early Dangerous sessions (approx. early 1990s) — Producer: Bryan Loren. (very early Dangerous-era instrumental)
  4. Dream Girl (instrumental) — DAT dated Jul 19, 1993 — Producer: Bryan Loren.
  5. Family Thing (instrumental) — Bryan Loren version — Larrabee Studios; date unknown.
  6. Bombay Nights — Aug 31, 1994 — Instrumental produced by René Moore (HIStory sessions).
  7. Innocent Man — 1994 (HIStory era) — Written & produced by Michael Jackson & Brad Buxer; leaked version reportedly from those sessions.
  8. Shut Up And Dance — writer demo (Eric Kirkland) [V1]Invincible sessions — Writer demo sung by Eric Kirkland, recorded during the Invincible era.
  9. World of Candy — 2003 — Written/produced by Michael Jackson & Brad Buxer; duet vocals with Nisha Kataria.
  10. Days in Gloucestershire — Recorded 2004; leak mix "Bible" c. 2008 — Written & produced by Michael Jackson & Brad Buxer. Alternate instrumentation, removed parts & unheard vocals.
  11. Adore You — c. 2004–2005 — Written & produced by Michael Jackson & Brad Buxer.
  12. Shut Up And Dance — writer demo (Eric Kirkland) [V?]c. 2008 — Writer demo sung by Eric Kirkland; reportedly partially edited by the leaker. Notes: later writer demo version with noticeable edits and differences compared to the Invincible-era demo.
  13. Remember What I Told You — reported 2008; additional work Jun 2009 — Written & produced by Michael Jackson & Brad Buxer (sources vary: Damien Shields / @AlwaysThere).
  14. Hallucination — writer demo (Steve Porcaro) — date unknown.

SNIPPETS / PARTIAL CLIPS
  • Loving You — multitrack snippet — 1985 — Multitrack snippet (HQ) shared from a Motif Discord call.
  • Jane Is A Groupie — long snippet — 1989 — HQ long snippet from a Motif Discord call; file includes audible voices from the call participants.
  • Homeless Bound — snippet (instrumental) — 1990 — Produced by Bryan Loren; instrumental snippet circulated via Motif Discord call.
  • Changes (snippet) — HIStory-era (Sep 1995) — Initially shared by Korgnex; Motif leak lacks the original drum loop (Korgnex edit).
  • Threatened — writer-demo snippet (Invincible session) — Invincible-era (late 1990s) — Writer-demo snippet shared on Motif Discord call.
  • Xscape — multitrack snippet — 1999 — Multitrack snippet circulated from a Motif Discord call.
  • Rocker (snippets) — early 2000s (recording era) — Written & produced by Michael Jackson & Brad Buxer. Long, heavily edited snippets circulate.
  • Boy No (snippets) — 2000s sessions — Written & produced by Michael Jackson & Brad Buxer; partial verse snippets available.
  • Don't Be Messin' Round — alternate-version snippet — date unknown — Alternate-version snippet shared on Motif Discord call.
  • From The Bottom Of My Heart (snippet) — instrumental snippet c. 2007
There are a few unidentified instrumental snippets going around too, but we'll wait for more info before adding them to the list
 
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