In June 2013, a leak of ten previously unreleased songs on SoundCloud led to speculation that a new Prefab Sprout album was being recorded. "Crimson/Red", consisting of developed versions of tracks from the vaults that was subsequently released on 7 October 2013 on vinyl and CD on the Icebreaker records label. A limited edition box set with an interview CD was also released. The lead single was "The Best Jewel Thief in the World". A video for this track (produced by Tylar Cornak) was originally posted to Vimeo. "Crimson/Red" also confirmed that Prefab Sprout was now in effect a solo project, with Paddy McAloon singing, playing and programming all of the music on the album on his own. In interviews at the time, McAloon explained that his health issues (in particular, the deterioration of his hearing and eyesight) now dictated the way in which Prefab Sprout music was recorded, making it impractical and even impossible for any other musicians to be involved, but that he remained fond of and grateful to his former bandmates.