The New Album Info Thread

[Drico One]

Neil's interesting interview on the Guardian Web site today contained some references to the new album. I was surprised at how willing he was to drop in tidbits about that as I was under the impression that we were still very much between albums, but it seems clear that this has now progressed. I suppose we can now assume that the starting gun has sounded on the third album of the Stuart Price trilogy. Therefore, I think it makes sense to have a thread devoted to concrete, confirmed news about the new album. So, let's use this thread to post direct quotes, if possible, from Neil, Chris, Stuart Price, and the official site as we draw closer to release.

“I had a very strong group of friends as an adolescent, many of whom I still know – we’ve got a new song which looks back at that,” Tennant says. “It was a very intense part of my life and it sort of ended with the Aids crisis, with so many friends who died, so I will probably never get over that. I don’t mean in a traumatised way, just that it’s always there in my history. It’s part of who I am.” - Neil Tennant, October 21, 2018, The Observer

What about just writing a straightforward love song? Tennant is surprised when I suggest that they have become more infrequent on Pet Shop Boys albums. “Maybe there’s been less to write about, I’m afraid.” He pauses, slightly embarrassed. “Not totally. Actually on das neu album is a major love song.” - Neil Tennant, October 21, 2018, The Observer

Their forthcoming album will be their 15th, not counting live and compilation albums, and will include a song inspired by the refugee crisis, and another about Berlin, the city where they go to write and – occasionally on a Sunday afternoon – to dance at Berghain, the legendary techno club. - Alex Needham, interviewing Neil Tennant, October 21, 2018, The Observer

“We have written a song called Give Stupidity a Chance which is a satire. It’s close to a protest song, but it’s also funny.” - Neil Tennant, October 21, 2018, The Observer

Drico.

PS The third entry here is from the journalist, so I suppose we need to take that with a pinch of salt. The first comment could, potentially, refer to Reunion, which was recently released on Further Listening, but would Neil be calling that "new"? I'm assuming not.

[tottenhammattspurs]

14th. Their forthcoming album will be their 14th. Not 15th Mr Observer Journalist.

[ZiggyPSB]

14th. Their forthcoming album will be their 14th. Not 15th Mr Observer Journalist.

Maybe Mr Observer Journalist considers Relentless a studio album in its own right.

[Disco.]

As some people do.

[Flaffer]

It is an album in its own right. Never understood why it’s regarded as anything else, let alone when it’s referred to as a remix album

[glennjridge]

I think the older they get they have come to love the excitement of touring so much so that they crank out albums now just to have a reason to go back out. I am so excited at the thought of a new one possibly fairly soon. I suspect it will be out realistically early 2019 just in time for a summer tour.

kinda sad about the infrequency of love songs notion when he says "maybe theres less to write about". come on neil,join match.com. in any case I hope we can get this new one without the usually fan commentary about possibly it being their last.
these guys will be making music till they drop. I think they need the outlet. the tune he was referencing about old friends sounds like he is describing "Reunion" but I guess it will be something else obviously. a tune about berlin,nice! actually I would love to get that 'wedding in berlin" song. love that title! hopefully a B-side.

[jules]

What does a "major" song mean ?

[psb-freak]

I'm happy that they don't do many ballads nowadays. I prefer the more uptempo ones.

[Ghost within this house]

Bump for this thread. Maybe we can stick with one integrated thread about the new album which is, after all, pencilled in for release in 5 months' time.

All we know from Annually is that:

1. The third Price album will sound 'slightly different' from Super and Electric, and that they have 'moved on from the sound of' those albums
2. There was a recording session at Hansa Studios, Berlin
3. Two of the 24 songs recorded / demo-ed for the album contain references to places in Berlin.... so Neil thinks this might be their 'Berlin album'
4. The 24 songs might include some songs written in 2017

Regarding item 4, I wonder how many of the Songs written during the Super era (i.e. pre 2016) might be included?

And there's still 'The Lost Room'...............

Lastly, if the album does indeed come out in September, I suspect we might be getting info in June.... not long, in other words!

[jasonjohn]

1. The third Price album will sound 'slightly different' from Super and Electric, and that they have 'moved on from the sound of' those albums

That's super interesting.

Wonder if the "darker" album is still on the cards. I'm relieved "Forgotten Child" didn't get an obvious electronic treatment, which a "darker" album might of claimed.

Hopefully by "darker" they mean more "Fundamental" . However they'd need more help with production (which is often the case anyway - they have dedicated orchestration staff to assist the Producer)

[Pod]

I'm happy that they don't do many ballads nowadays. I prefer the more uptempo ones.

Yep - agreed - more banging and lasers please...

[markrobertnolan]

I'm happy that they don't do many ballads nowadays. I prefer the more uptempo ones.

Yep - agreed - more banging and lasers please...

Me too. I like the up tempo minor chord stompers = dark + banging + lasers

[NikacP0kac]

I just hope the album has a bit more substance than Electric and Super had - they're purely summer albums for me, maybe spring, but I cannot get in the mood for them during autumn/winter.

Because this comes out (speculatively) in September I expect it to be quite a bit more serious than Super - Into Thin Air could be a basis.

[Dog]

Presumably the photos of the old 70s and 80s equipment and the focus on the studio’s history should read as another big clue?

[TG]

It's going to be Behaviour(Part 2)