BILINGUAL
The Pet Shop Boys' sixth studio album "Bilingual", released on September 2, 1996, showcases a significant evolution in their sound by infusing Latin American and world music influences into their synth-pop style. Their exposure to Latin rhythms, particularly during their 1994 Discovery Tour across South America, notably impacted the album’s thematic and sonic palette. The duo began work on the album in 1994, starting at Unique Studios in New York, revisiting the studio where they originally recorded "West End Girls." This geographically diverse recording process also included sessions in London, New York, and Moscow, reflecting the global inspirations behind the album.
"Bilingual" was partly conceptualized around the idea of bilingualism, mixing English with Spanish and Portuguese lyrics, as heard on tracks like "Discoteca," "Single-Bilingual," and "Se a vida é (That's the Way Life Is)." This cultural blending added fresh rhythmic textures and vocal harmonies to the album, further enriched by live percussion from specialists such as the Scottish samba ensemble SheBoom and Brazilian-inspired instruments like the berimbau and cuícas. The album continues the richly layered production and vocal harmonies that the Pet Shop Boys had embraced since their previous album "Very."
The album’s track list includes standout singles that successfully charted in the UK top 20, such as "Before," "Se a vida é," and "A Red Letter Day." These songs feature a combination of catchy melodies, sophisticated electronic production, and internationally influenced rhythms. The production team included longtime collaborator Chris Porter and club DJ Danny Tenaglia, who added dance music credibility and contemporary rhythmic elements to the record.
Noteworthy is the album’s innovative packaging, designed by Mark Farrow, which used frosted, sandblasted CD cases that mirrored the artistic ambition of the music itself. "Bilingual" reached number four on the UK Albums Chart and received gold certification, confirming both critical and commercial success.
An extended special edition was later released, adding bonus discs with remixes and previously unreleased tracks that expanded on the album’s dancefloor sensibility and world music inspirations.
Overall, "Bilingual" represents a mature work that blends Pet Shop Boys’ signature synth-pop with diverse world music influences, particularly Latin American, while continuing their tradition of clever lyricism and sophisticated productions, making it a distinctive and influential chapter in their storied catalog.
Discoteca
Opening with lively Latin rhythms, "Discoteca" blends English and Spanish lyrics, embodying the album's Latin dance influence. The track features pulsating percussion, electronic synths, and a club-ready beat, with lyrics celebrating dancefloor escape and cultural fusion.
Single-Bilingual
This track continues the bilingual theme with smooth, catchy synth-pop infused with dance beats. The lyrics explore themes of independence and nonconformity within relationships, with vibrant production mixing Latin percussion layers and electronic textures.
A more introspective and atmospheric track, "Metamorphosis" plays with a dreamy synth arrangement and layered vocals. The theme centers around personal transformation and change, enhanced by subtle production that contrasts with the album’s more rhythmically intense songs.
Up-tempo and driven by a rich house beat, "Electricity" invokes the power and intensity of dance music culture. The production is sleek, blending classic synth-pop with contemporary '90s club sounds, reflecting the duo’s dancefloor roots.
Se A Vida E (That's The Way Life Is)
Drawing from Brazilian rhythms, this track features Portuguese lyrics and live percussion instruments like the berimbau. It presents an optimistic outlook on life’s unpredictability and resilience, with production that integrates authentic Latin sounds and textured synth layers.
A longer, more expansive composition, the song uses a sample from Brazilian singer Astrud Gilberto and features percussion samples like cuícas, emphasizing jazz and samba influences. Its contemplative lyrics about love and unexpected emotional shifts are matched by a rich, layered instrumental backdrop.
A Red Letter Day
This song integrates electronic beats with backing vocals by the Choral Academy of Moscow, adding a dramatic, almost anthemic feel. Lyrics convey hope and optimism amidst uncertainty, supported by production that melds classical choir elements with synth-driven pop.
Up Against It
Featuring a steadier groove and vibrant synth patterns, "Up Against It" carries themes of confrontation and resilience. The production balances dance beats and pop sensibility, creating a track that is both energetic and direct.
The Survivors
This track has a reflective, mature tone with themes of endurance and perseverance. The arrangement uses gentle synth pads and a steady rhythm, underscoring the song’s contemplative mood without overwhelming energy.
Produced with club legend Danny Tenaglia, "Before" is one of the album’s definitive dance tracks. It features strong house beats, layered vocals, and catchy hooks, with lyrics reflecting anticipation and longing.
This song includes a sample of Spanish gypsy music, blending traditional sounds with electronic production. It has a smooth, danceable beat and explores themes of moving on and seeking new directions.
A vibrant closing track, it combines classic synth-pop melodies with upbeat rhythms suitable for the dancefloor. Themes revolve around celebration and continuity, a fitting finale that embodies the album’s optimistic spirit.
Overall, "Bilingual" is defined by its fusion of Latin and world music elements with the Pet Shop Boys' signature synth-pop, seamlessly combining thoughtful lyrics with diverse rhythmic and instrumental textures. The album highlights the duo’s experimentation with bilingual lyrics, live percussion, and collaborations, creating a richly layered and culturally expansive work within their discography.
Final thoughts….
I found this album tough to get into when it was first released and my opinion hasn’t changed, in addition some of the choices for singles is questionable too, not an album I tend to play a great deal.
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.
Discoteca 1
Single-Bilingual 1
Metamorphosis 1
Electricity 0
Se A Vida E (That’s The Way Life Is) 3
It Always Comes As A Surprise 2
A Red Letter Day 2
Up Against It 2
The Survivors 2
Before 1
To Step Aside 2
Saturday Night Forever 0
Score 17
FINAL ALBUM RATING 47
Current Album Chart
1. Actually - 80 (6 Tracks Rated As 3)
2. Please - 80 (5 Tracks Rated As 3)
3. Introspective - 78
4. Behaviour - 73
5. Very - 69
6. Bilingual 47
