More about: Pet Shop Boys
‘A relevant comment on human emotion and current affairs’
Pet Shop Boys propelled themselves into 2020 with an updated, more modern sound, full of an eclectic mix of floor-fillers on their latest record Hotspot. It’s a nod to their earlier albums, and is distinctively Pet Shop Boys, but somehow it seeks to give their music a more contemporary feel.
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Transcendent, extra-terrestrial sounds and a thumping beat on ‘Will-o-the-Wisp’ gives Hotspot a bold start. An emphatic set of lyrics, set against the duo’s signature backing vocals style leads the charge on this strong opener. A more subdued, slow build takes over on ‘You Are The One’. It’s a tender, vulnerable love song, full of inventive poetic lyrics and a shimmering melody. It’s one of the slower tracks on the album, and gives it an interesting break from the more upbeat sounds.
There’s political commentary on ‘Dreamland’, a pop song with a stunning feature from Years & Years. This track sees each band’s trademark sounds compliment each other, rather than collide, producing a powerful, vivid pop track. The anti-Brexit lyrics, “you don’t need a visa, you can come and go and still be here” should come as no surprise from Neil Tennant, a prominent Remainer. ‘Happy People’ shares themes with 90s electronic music, and Tennant’s dream-like vocals glimmer on this cut. It’s a fun, jumping track, with a bright atmosphere.
The band continue to flirt with the sounds of the last decades of the 20th Century, giving us twirling, but slightly understated disco on ‘Monkey Business’, and a nostalgic 80s feel seeping through on ‘Hoping For A Miracle’, which also sees the extra-terrestrial themes of the first track make a reappearance. The record ends with guitar-heavy, reflective ‘Burning The Heather’ and ‘Wedding In Berlin’, an expressive, hazy, political club-banger, complete with wedding bells.
Pet Shop Boys are a clear example of why modern pop music is still fighting and pushing through. Almost 40 years in the industry has given them a unique perspective and understanding of music, and it shines through on Hotspot. They create music with expert flair and ever-present skill. Their songs are a relevant comment on human emotion, and current affairs, with a banging, happy sound.
Hotspot is released on 24 January 2020 via x2 Records.
More about: Pet Shop Boys
