Pet Shop Boys - Hotspot

New album has just been announced. Here's the track list:

1. Will-o-the-wisp
2. You are the one
3. Happy people
4. Dreamland (featuring Years & Years)
5. Hoping for a miracle
6. I don’t wanna
7. Monkey business
8. Only the dark
9. Burning the heather
10. Wedding in Berlin

Also, cover:

https://scontent.fdet1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/p960x960/72423763_10157448448291285_5983907453656367104_o.jpg?_nc_cat=107&_nc_oc=AQlZlCwQHVoSL3xk__oWgM-UWvO9_V2emfMxgwWkyaxDSx3qttbVSHGATDjH6xR-DQM&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-1.fna&oh=f3aa43a9187a14775e05b63eed709400&oe=5E40DF4B

and brand new track:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FihJNvzziXY&feature=youtu.be

Let's see if this works:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FihJNvzziXY

I'm getting "Nightlife" vibes from the album cover (I think it's pretty great) and "Release" vibes from the single. Thankfully, it's definitely a step up from that awful EP.

getting Arrival vibes from the cover

If I had to guess, I'd say they're probably going for blur-era Gerhard Richter's vibes.

Thankfully, it's definitely a step up from that awful EP.

The EP wasn't an SDP joint, so

this does sound like Release though

that's gorgeous. a little harrowing, but getting old is

I like this a lot more than the Years and Years song

some awkward rhymes in the last third

i mean, it's pleasant enough but doesn't really do a lot

^^^
also it's another PSB song that's probably about current politics but it's not really clear exactly what

I really don't get the appeal of morose old-man PSB songs. Give me this same vocal and lyric over a massive electronic track, great. But this closing-credits music they keep making is just awful. How the fuck is this a single?

The bangers on the last couple albums were still the best tracks. I love this:

youtube.com/watch?v=b1nUIN_Vp3c

https://youtu.be/b1nUIN_Vp3c

Pet Shop Boys have today announced that their forthcoming album, “Hotspot”, will be available to purchase in two additional formats: on cassette and a 2-disc deluxe CD version, which includes an instrumental version of the whole album on the second disc. Upon pre-ordering the new album via the Pet Shop Boys online store, a complimentary limited edition print of the “Hotspot” artwork will be made available - hand-signed by PSB. The print will also be available to those who have already pre-ordered the album via the Pet Shop Boys online store. This limited offer ends 12:00 GMT, 24th December. “Hotspot” is available to pre-order now at the link below. Order link.

$17 for the double cd and 12" print, signed. Reasonable! 2cd version only $2 more than single version.

Monkey Business sounds like a cute throwaway track from Alternative, which means I love it. It’s very silly and light, not a banger at all, but it’s the first track of theirs in awhile I wanted to replay and sing along to instantly:

https://youtu.be/Qpdd-XgsfMc

Same. It's corny good instead of corny bad, like a lot of their 2000s material.

WOAH!!!

http://www.slicingupeyeballs.com/2020/02/24/new-order-pet-shop-boys-unity-tour/

I'm enjoying this new album that no one is really talking about here.

It's mediocre compared to the last two and Fundamental

I dunno, it sort of calls to mind the mediocrity of "Nightlife," which I like.

I don't find Nightlife mediocre at all, especially the way it's conversant with mainstream gay DJ culture of the time.

I can't speak to that point, but this one seems on first listen to have more outright "pop" moments (a la Nightlife and Fundamental) than the last two, which iirc seemed more dancy/clubby. I dunno, I haven't listened to the most recent ones in a while, I should put them on.

I'm enjoying this new album that no one is really talking about here.

― Josh in Chicago

Yeah, I'm enjoying it too. Just remembering to turn it off before the last song each time really makes the whole experience so much more enjoyable. There's such a warmth to this album that was missing on a lot of Super.

The best song on Super was "Burn," though.

Oh shit, the last song was the marriage song, right? I just assumed that was a bonus track I got fed.

I suppose I should finally listen to this album

Okay in context the songs I hated are pretty good. This is pleasant.

I like the last song, you guys are no fun

I like the album, but the second song almost made me stop listening at first. Really breaks the momentum set up by the excellent "Will O The Wisp". Weird sequencing choice.

Enjoying this low-key B-side:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAdliA1J_V8

^^ and it's a good counterpart to "Monkey Business": not corny reminiscent of "Positive Role Model" as a dance track that hits the life-and-death bender side of club life.

The first time I heard "Will O The Wisp," without knowing the title yet, I thought he was saying "minimal waste."

Finally getting to this. "Wedding in Berlin" is awesome, what the hell.