A musical treasure long sealed inside one of music’s most storied archives is finally stepping into the light.
NPG Records, in partnership with Legacy Recordings, has released “With This Tear,” a previously unheard studio recording by Prince, on the 10th anniversary of the Minneapolis legend’s passing on April 21, 2026. The single marks the first offering from a larger body of unreleased work drawn from Prince’s celebrated vault material that will eventually form a never-before-released full album project slated to unfold throughout the year.
A song born at Paisley Park
Captured during a November 1991 recording session at Prince’s iconic Paisley Park compound in Chanhassen, Minnesota, “With This Tear” is a testament to the artist’s unmatched creative sovereignty. Prince served as producer, arranger, composer, and sole instrumentalist on the track, a practice consistent with his lifelong insistence on total artistic control. The recording showcases the kind of intimate, meticulous craftsmanship that defined his work behind closed studio doors, far from the spectacle of arena stages and spotlight-drenched performances.
Following its creation, Prince gifted the song to Canadian powerhouse Céline Dion, who recorded and released her own rendition in 1992. That gesture, offering a deeply personal composition to another artist, speaks to the generosity at the heart of Prince’s creative spirit and underscores the song’s emotional depth and commercial appeal. Decades later, the original studio recording stands on its own as an artifact of an artist operating at the height of his abilities.
Newly mixed and mastered for a new era
To prepare “With This Tear” for its formal debut, NPG Records enlisted GRAMMY-nominated engineer and producer Chris James, whose connection to Prince’s sonic universe runs deep. James served as a staff engineer at Paisley Park and holds credits on several of the artist’s later studio releases, including HITnRUN Phase Two, Art Official Age, and Plectrumelectrum. His intimate familiarity with Prince’s sound made him a natural choice to handle the new mix and master, ensuring the track’s presentation honors the original vision while meeting contemporary audio standards.
The collaboration between James and the Prince estate reflects a broader commitment to curating vault material with care and intentionality, not simply releasing recordings, but restoring them.
A day to reflect, a night to remember
The single’s release coincides with the annual “A Day 2 Reflect | A Night 2 Remember” observance, held each April 21 at Paisley Park to commemorate the anniversary of Prince’s death. This year’s programming carries added weight as the world marks a decade since his passing.
Daytime activities welcome the public with guided tours through Paisley Park’s halls, a community gathering at the NPG Music Club, and a participatory memorial experience featuring origami dove-making and a tribute fence installation. A curated listening lounge will offer attendees a space for quiet reflection, and at precisely 4:21 p.m., a candlelighting ceremony will bring together fans both on-site and virtually via a dedicated livestream.
As evening descends on Chanhassen, Paisley Park will shift into a more immersive mode, offering a special walkthrough tour of the facility followed by a screening of Prince in Concert, allowing audiences to relive the performer’s electrifying stage presence on the big screen.
Celebration of life on the horizon
The release of “With This Tear” and the April 21 observance serve as a prelude to an even larger commemoration later this year. Prince Celebration 2026, billed as the “10th Anniversary Celebration of Life,” is a five-day global gathering honoring the breadth and endurance of Prince’s legacy. Running June 3 through 7, 2026, the event will span both the Paisley Park complex and multiple venues throughout downtown Minneapolis.
Single concert tickets go on sale to the general public on Earth Day, April 22. Fans seeking ticketing details and event information can visit the official site at
For an artist who spent his career defying convention and transcending genre, the emergence of “With This Tear” from the vault is less a surprise than a reminder that Prince always had more to say.
