It’s incredible to think that the Pet Shop Boys have been one of the most iconic acts in British pop for four decades now. With April 2024 marking the release of their first ever single, “West End Boys”, the duo are now back with their brand new studio album back at the home of their most successful period, Parlaphone Records.
The fifteenth album of their incredible career, listening to this latest offering, the material sounds unmistakeably Pet Shop Boys but comes with an almost timeless air about it. Tracks like the hopeful tones of “A New Bohemia” or the pulsing synth-pop of “Loneliness” find the pair playing to their strengths resulting in material that could slot effortlessly into any period of the groups career.
That being said, at no point does ‘Nonetheless’ sound remotely dated. It’s an album that may not open them up to a new world of fans but, given that the next few months will see the pair play five nights at the Royal Albert Hall, it is an album full of songs that their loyal fanbase will instantly take to their hearts.
“Dancing Star” is pure Pet Shop Boys crammed full of hypnotizing beats while the addition of an orchestra to the mix enhance their sound without making it sound overblown and pompous at any point. Throughout the album, feelings of nostalgia, introspection, familiarity reoccur and, while ‘Nonetheless’ might not be a classic in the immense Pet Shop Boys discography, when they describe it as an album that is a “celebration of the unique and diverse emotions that make us human”, they describe ‘Nonetheless’ perfectly.
If you’re a fan of the Pet Shop Boys then ‘Nonetheless’ will give you that warm, comforting feeling although, while it might not win over a legion of new fans, for anyone looking for a starting point to dive into their career, ‘Nonetheless’ is as good a place to start as any.
To pick up your copy of ‘Nonetheless’ or to find out more about their upcoming shows, head over to the official Pet Shop Boys website here.
Comments are closed.