★★★½
OnSuper, the Pet Shop Boys follow the blueprint they established with their previous effort,Electric.
This is with good reason – Electric delivered the band’s highest chart positions in 20 years on both sides of the Atlantic. The two albums are similar in a number of ways: Stuart Price is enlisted for production, vocals are used somewhat sparingly in comparison to the band’s back catalogue, and music itself is a central subject matter. The results are certainly enjoyable, but don’t quite match the euphoric highs of Electric.
Wry, observational lyrics have always been a strength of the Pet Shop Boys; this remains evident across Super, as witticisms jump out without warning. The duo’s commentary traverses political systems (‘The Dictator Decides’), life stages (‘Twenty-Something’) and endearing narrative (‘The Pop Kids’). The album isn’t without its weak points – ‘Sad Robot World’ sounds exactly like you’d expect it to, and ‘Pazzo!’ feels unnecessary with its generic dance production and lack of melody. Overall, though, the good outweighs the bland. ‘Say It To Me’ is right on trend with its vaguely trop-house sensibilities, and ‘Burn’ opens with a classic Pet Shop Boys instrumental.
Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe did the ’90s best the first time around, but their previous experience does no harm in tapping into its revival.
Pet Shop Boys’Superis available now through X2/Kobalt.
