IT’S A SYNTH
All the PSBS albums rated. By John Earls
Please (1986) ****
Arriving fully formed, PSB’S debut perfectly established their sonic identity. Among the irresistibly infectious synth-pop bounce, ballads including Later Tonight showed their depth.
Actually (1987) ****
Housing two No 1 singles and several other permanent staples of their shows, Actually is – in Neil Tennant’s own phrase – an imperial phase writ large.
Introspective (1988) ***** Perfectly suited to incorporate rave into their extended visions, like Station To Station or Spirit Of Eden Tennant/lowe only needed six songs to shine.
Behaviour (1990) *****
Virtually every critic’s favourite PSB album, this autumnal beauty concluded their imperial phase. Typified by Being Boring, it remains a towering work of austere grandeur.
Very (1993) *****
By contrast to its predecessor, Very was the Pets going as pop as possible, Go West and all. Dayglo pointy hats provided the perfect iconography – here were the pop songs to match.
Bilingual (1996) ***
Inspired by a South American tour, PSB had a blast merging Latin music into their Englishness. The ballads are unusually flat, offset by unusually filthy grooves such as Discoteca.
Nightlife (1999) **
Despite its clubbing title, Nightlife showcases a multitude of genres. Made while writing their musical, too many songs resemble pastiches rather than heartfelt homages.
Release (2002) **
The momentum of a triumphant first Glastonbury was crushed by PSB’S first “We’re serious artists, actually” album. Eschewing pop for pomposity, it’s largely hard work.
Fundamental (2006) ****
Although its overtly political stance continued Release’s seriousness, having Trevor Horn at his most orchestral as co-producer leavened the message. Grandiose, but satirically hilarious, too.
Yes (2009) ***
Subsuming themselves into Noughties production titans Xenomania’s world didn’t result in an all-out pop triumph like Very. Nonetheless, when the chemistry worked it was exhilarating.
Elysium (2012) ****
A hidden gem, PSB’S self-proclaimed LA album glides like the Drive soundtrack while inhabiting Behaviour’s sombre world. Stark beauty meriting reassessment.
Electric (2013) *****
New producer Stuart Price ushered PSB straight to the dancefloor for their most full-on club album. That Neil Tennant kept up the lyrical standard among the punishing beats was hugely impressive.
Super (2016) ****
Very much a second volume of Electric, its dancefloor mood was less surprising, but the standard stayed high. The Pop Kids is Pet Shop Boys’ manifesto in four minutes.
Hotspot (2020) ***
The final part of their trilogy with Stuart Price was designed to be less frantic. That’s largely true, yet Monkey Business and Wedding In Berlin are the Pets at their lewdest and giddiest.
Nonetheless (2024) ****
Featuring several atypical unabashed love songs, Neil Tennant’s voice has never been more gorgeous. Among the generally lush mood, Bullet For Narcissus epitomises PSB’S history/bangers Venn diagram.