Mute

Please note, some Mute issues also display an EMI logo. This is not a label and EMI should not be added as a label; instead, it indicates that Mute was part of the EMI Group.

Mute (also known as Mute Records) was founded in 1978 by Daniel Miller and releases various forms of music, focusing on electronic and experimental pop. In May 2002, the label was acquired by the EMI Group. In 2010, Miller made an agreement with EMI to manage Mute as an independent label again, licensing the trademark from EMI through his company Mute Artists Ltd., while EMI retained the rights over Mute's back catalogue. After the EMI Group was dissolved, in 2012 BMG Rights Management acquired Mute Records Ltd.'s back catalogue.

Branch offices are located in Germany (Mute Tonträger) and North America (Mute Corporation).

Mute has spawned many regional and special-interest sublabels, some of which remain active. One offshoot, Parallel Series, even became independent of Mute Records Ltd. Mute also operates Mute Bank Mail Order, which sells the label's merchandise directly to consumers. Mute Bank published two issues of Mute Statement, a softcover book detailing the entire discography of the label, including band profiles and photos of release artwork.

Another label closely associated with Mute is Toast Hawaii, run by Depeche Mode's Andrew Fletcher.

Label code: LC 05834 / LC 5834

‘P’, included in the catalog numbers, generally stands for promo copies.

‘L’, included in the catalog numbers, generally stands for limited editions.