ELECTRIC
The Pet Shop Boys album "Electric" is their twelfth studio album, released on
July 14, 2013. It marked a fresh, energetic phase for the duo as their first
album after leaving their long-time label Parlophone. Released on their own
label, x2, through Kobalt Label Services, "Electric" was produced
entirely by Stuart Price, a renowned producer known for his work with Madonna,
The Killers, and New Order. The album was recorded in London, Berlin, and Los
Angeles between November 2012 and April 2013, with production centered around
delivering a euphoric, fresh, and upbeat dance record in contrast to the
reflective tone of their previous album, Elysium.
Recording And Production
The album's production explicitly aimed to be a “dance
record” with a consistently euphoric and fresh feel. Stuart Price’s involvement
brought a tight, modern electronic sound with pulsating synths, punchy beats,
and layered textures. Price had previously collaborated with Pet Shop Boys on
mixes and tour productions, and this album marked their first full-length
collaboration. The working process happened across multiple cities, with Price
mixing material in London, Los Angeles, and Berlin. The final track,
"Fluorescent," was added late in the process after Chris Lowe sent a
demo. The album’s sound is synth-driven but sleek, combining contemporary EDM
sensibility with the duo’s signature pop lyricism.
Axis
The album opener is an instrumental synth crescendo with bold, rising
electronic layers setting an energetic and anticipatory mood.
Bolshy
Features assertive beats and sharp synth hooks with lyrics brimming with
confident attitude and a defiant tone.
Love Is A Bourgeois Construct
A witty and ironic track that critiques romantic idealism using clever
wordplay, set against a driving dance beat with lush synth flourishes.
Fluorescent
A mesmerizing, hypnotic track with shimmering synths and tight production,
characterized by staccato rhythms and a modern club feel.
Inside A Dream
A lyrically introspective but danceable song using swirling synths and a
memorable melody to evoke a sense of longing and escapism.
The Last To Die
A cover of Bruce Springsteen’s song, featuring lush electronic production,
paying tribute with a somber yet uplifting tone.
Shouting In The Evening
An upbeat, energetic track with catchy synth motifs and layered production that
builds steadily.
Thursday (featuring Example)
A collaboration with English rapper Example, this track blends electro-pop with
hip-hop elements, adding lyrical verses that bring a fresh dynamic to the
album.
Vocal
The closing track is euphoric and sprawling, with layered vocals, driving
beats, and an anthemic mood, cementing the album's overall feel-good dance
spirit.
Interesting
Information
·
"Electric"
was the first in a trilogy of albums produced by Stuart Price, followed by Super (2016) and Hotspot (2020).
·
The album debuted at
number three on the UK Albums Chart and reached number 26 on the US Billboard
200, marking the duo’s highest charting in two decades in both territories.
·
It was supported by
the extensive Electric Tour, which included 112 concerts across 46 countries,
highlighting the album’s dancefloor appeal.
·
The album cover
artwork was designed by Farrow, featuring a bold, minimalist visual style
complementary to the album’s sleek electronic sound.
Summary
"Electric" marked a celebratory return to
dance music for the Pet Shop Boys, showcasing their ability to blend
contemporary electronic production with their trademark clever lyrics and
melodic sophistication. The collaboration with Stuart Price brought vitality
and cohesion, resulting in one of their most energetic and widely acclaimed
later-career albums.
Final thoughts….
Well, what can I say, in short it is a dreadful album,
it’s interesting that at the time of release many fans were saying this was one
of their best albums, however, years later it ranks low when it comes to fans
listing their favourite albums from their best to their worst. I can’t even
listen to this album, so much of it is unlistenable, I mean what the hell is
the track “Shouting In The Evening”! “Bolshy” is another one that quite frankly
assaults my ears, as does “Thursday” and “Vocal” (the live version is much more
appealing).
TRACK RATINGS
Each track on
the album is scored on the following basis, an excellent tracks scores 3
points, a good track scores 2 points, an ok track scores 1 point and an awful
track, scores no points, the total is added up and divided by the maximum
number of points that would be available and then times that by 100 to get your
overall score. For example if an album
scores 20 points and there are 10 tracks on the album, that means it can
achieve a maximum score of 30, so divide 20 by 30 and times it by 100, it gives
you a figure of 66.66, which is the final score rating for the album, in this
case you would round it up to 67, if it was 66.33, you would round it down to
66. In the event there is a tie, the album with the most tracks rated at 3
ranks as higher.
Axis 1
Bolshy 0
Love Is A Bourgeois Construct 3
Fluorescent 2
Inside A Dream 1
The Last To Die 1
Shouting In The Evening 0
Thursday 0
Vocal 0
Score 8
FINAL ALBUM RATING 30
Current Album
Chart
1. Actually - 80
(6 Tracks Rated As 3)
2. Please - 80
(5 Tracks Rated As 3)
3. Introspective
- 78
4. Fundamental -
77
5. Yes - 76
6. Behaviour - 73
7. Very - 69
8. Release 57
9. Elysium - 50
10. Bilingual - 47
11. Nightlife - 42
12. Electric - 30
