NONETHELESS - The reviews of the members of Pet Shop Boys Community

[vincenzosz]

This may change but my current feeling is underwhelmed. As someone who has enjoyed at least half of every album they have ever released I feel this is pretty disappointing - especially as I feel it’s been more hyped than ever due to the numerous glowing reviews, it’s their first album since the pandemic and it’s been a year long than unusual between albums (though that’s just me being spoiled ^_^).
I have a hard time believing that these are the best songs of the “thousands” of songs they say they’ve written during the pandemic.

I’m sorry if this sounds entitled or whiny. I totally admire and respect Neil and Chris, and I always value their work. I’m just disappointed.

[debbieveda]

Voted

[lalolalo]

After a first listen.

1. Loneliness - 7/10 - Starting way up. Anthem.
2. Feel - 7/10 - At the beggining sounded a lot like "Getting away with it" Those strings! Mediterranean feel it gave me. Like soundtracking a boat tour by the Italian riviera.
3. Why am I dancing? - 8/10 - I literally cried with the horn riff, and the base. Too short!!! Brought back again all those memories from the pandemic, trying to learn the Madonna Vogue routine, and sleeping a lot, and sadly so saldy learning that people I knew was passing away.
4. New London boy - 7/10 It’s really nice, I’m not much a fan of the rap but overall it’s beautiful (The rap sounds more like happiness is an option than west end girls to me)
5. Dancing star - 7/10 - It was growing on me all these days and within the context of the album makes much more sense. It’s slowly becoming a favorite.
6. A new Bohemia - 9/10 - When the drums kick in. My God!!!. Bowie! And that chord change at the end of the chorus. And then the string from the second verse on. The Betleasque/Oasisesque bridge! To waltz with your loved one. To toast with your friends remembering your young days. My God. Made me cry too.
7. The Schlager hit parade - 8/10 - Again sixty as hell, the bass line. Reminded me of sodom and Gomorrah for some reason. I’m finding the production on the chorus a little bit dirty and fuzzy to my taste. Great song nevertheless. “The future is forever…” Standing ovation.
8. The secret of happiness - 9/10 - Again so sixty!! That bossa base. Burt Bacharach, Barry Manilow. Those strings again. So classy and tastefull!!! This is the music they would hear while having a drink and sharing “the view from your balcony”.
9. Bullet for Narcissus - 8/10 - Niiiiceeeee!!! The guitar!!!! I’m thinking Johnny Marr as a guest when playing this live. And those brief guitar hits in a Niles Rodgers style. And it’s a perfect contrast to the lyrics subject. Again the drums fills made me shiver. And string again before the last verse!
10. Love is the law - 10/10 - What a statement to end the album. What a beauty. What a perfect piece of art. Again the bridge hitting strong and peaceful at the same time. And the string growing and growing and in the end that Miserere sample. It’s like getting into heaven.

Overall I think I can place it up there with their best 5. The production is flawless, Neil is in a really good place with his voice that suits the album really well, and his pen is on point. Most of these lirycs are on his best. I'm falling inlove with this album already.
I agree that this is their queer album, but also I'd call it their love album. It's full of love. It sounds sincere and forgiving and warmth.
I'm not lying there were tears. I remembered friends lost and mostly one of them who would have loved this so much. Specially with why am I dancing? and A new Bohemia.
But even when I felt sad the album still sounds hopeful and positive.
The future is forever... Love is the law.
9.5/10

[jasonjohn]

give it a little more time, vincenzosz. It may remain a lesser album for you, but sometimes album tracks "make themselves known" to us after a while . Don't deny yourself that possibility

[glennjridge]

When I heard the track loneliness I was a tad worried about Neils voice...it sounded.... off somehow, I said to myself, well he's older now and his voice unfortunately is finally showing its age, but all of that was a big nothing as listening to the whole album, its the same ole Neil, he sounds no different to my ears

I'm also 100% positive he has finally gone back to manually doubletracking his vocals as opposed to letting the software plug ins do it for him, and it sounds so good.

[vincenzosz]

give it a little more time, vincenzosz. It may remain a lesser album for you, but sometimes album tracks "make themselves known" to us after a while . Don't deny yourself that possibility

I do often find that happens as well. I will give it a lot of listens and I am hopeful at least a few will grow on me.
Thanks Jasonjohn.

[Tentenlad]

After a couple of days of repeated listens, my overall view has improved slightly 7 / 10, because there are some good songs. The overall sound of the album is very similar and monotone, like everything was recorded on a cheap music studio programme. Rather like listening to the Bobby O version of songs before they were re recorded for Please. Please no more James Ford!

[Undertaker]

It's really, really good. A solid 8/10 and won't be shelved after a month like Release, Elysium, Super and Hotspot.

It's sounds lush. Songs 3-8 are as strong an album for 30 years imo. There's no skippers. Certainly no Wedding in Berlin or the Firth of Forth song.

I'm not overly excited about Feel, Narcissus or Love is the Law just yet but they're decent.

The only things missing are a banger and probably The Lost Room. Which would have been perfect.

[stussyboy]

It does show what a broad church us PSB fans are. I struggle to see how people don’t think Love is the law and The lost room (for example) are top tier all time PSB classics.

But if we all had the same taste if would be very boring.

[CroMagnon]

After just two days, the album already feels like an old friend, as if it has always existed somewhere lost in my memory, but has only now chosen to resurface. Melodies and turns of phrase from all of the songs are on repeat in my head. I love it, particularly the incredible, evocative imagery that is core to so many of the songs on Nonetheless:

- Ringo skipping his stones in Loneliness, and Neil tentatively suggesting that he, the narrator, may be the answer to the loneliness of his target in the song, echo-ing “Give it a go”.
- Neil’s visiting the subject of his affection in prison in “Feel” … love this interpretation from Geowayne … “Wait, they unlock the doors. There’s so much to discuss. When you see a friend who’s been sent away”. Love that darkness in a song that seems so upbeat and positive when you first hear it. (See also “Together”).
- Neil, living alone in lockdown, dancing in his kitchen to the radio in “Why am I dancing?”, knowing how lucky he is compared to many other people at that time, but also fighting despair and loneliness - “I can feel tears in my eyes. Are they really justified?”
- A young Neil searching for his true self in London in New London Boy, doubting whether he will ever be brave enough to live out his dreams. I hear musical echoes of the “The survivors” here, bookending early steps into the London gay scene on Nonetheless with later despair and reflection in the Bilingual song.
- The lost world of “A new bohemia”: songs that are never now heard, neighbourhoods and scenes that have changed beyond recognition.
- The entire nation of Germany trying to reconcile or anaesthetise itself from the shame and trauma of WW2 in “The schlager hit parade” through trashy music sung by sexy “healthy, happy boys and girls”, in a chilling mirror of Nazi ideals of Aryan perfection. Even those who think they might “go down” for previous crimes wearing “hazel, black and brown” prisoner uniforms are trying to escape their past through music.
- Neil and his art-loving lover in “The secret of happiness” sharing glorious summer evenings together.
- Trump’s makeup running in “Bullet for Narcissus” while his secret service agent scowls and laughs behind him.
- Neil’s protagonist succumbing to the necessity of love and sex in “Love is the law”, cruising the streets at night looking for love. Lyrically it goes full circle from Loneliness (“Nobody can live without love”), as he ponders inappropriate options (gamblers / thieves). It’s a wonderful closer, and the third leg of a trilogy alongside “Love comes quickly” (you can’t help falling in love) and “You choose” (you have to be open to love). In “Love is the law”, love / sex are almost necessary evils.

Incredible.

[Pod]

I’ve now listened to the album all the way through 7 times, at least 4 of those in the car which I find the best way to listen to any album in detail.
Initially, I thought it was amazing - best thing they’ve done in years and that still rings true, to an extent… It’s a 7/10 for me.
It certainly blows Hotspot away, which was more miss than hit. This definitely hits the mark more than it misses. The wonderful production aids this greatly. It really is an album of two halves - the first half is excellent, the second half less so. If I could compare it to another PSB album, it wouldn’t be the turgid Elysium, it’d be Yes, it’s got a fresh and optimistic feel like that had.

Loneliness - Away from the video, this track now sounds great - a really well constructed, slick slab of bombastic pop that annoyingly sticks in your head for days - classic PSB in full force.

Feel - Lovely, lovely, lovely - just lovely! Neil’s soaring vocals and lush instrumentation create a soundscape you could listen to for days.

Why am I dancing? - Like loneliness, classic PSB with an infectious beat that drives you to tap your feet instinctively (but not when you’re driving!). There’s more to this track than meets the ear.


New London Boy - Seems to have split opinion amongst PSB connoisseurs and I can see why. The theme is a path well trod in previous songs - Being Boring, Hallo Spaceboy (are they girls or boys). The rap feels forced a little and for me brings the song down. It’s lush (as most of the album is) but this song plods along and seems to do this for a bit too long. The closest we come to ‘filler’ on side 1.

Dancing Star - wasn’t sure about this one when it came out as a single, but it really is a grower. Great lyrical content and an 80’s vibe that gives it a real ‘Je ne sai quoi’. NYC ‘83 anyone?

A new Bohemia - Ok, this is where things start going a little awry for me. I’m just not feeling this at all and as a single choice, that must have been tongue in cheek surely? Sure, the orchestration and lyrics are sound, but it is Elysium territory here, which some love and others don’t. I’m in the latter camp I’m afraid. It’s one of those that in 3 months time it suddenly clicks and it’s amazing, but I doubt it - at the moment it’s elevator music (puts tin hat on and runs for cover).

The schlager hit parade - Love this - could see this as a single - rousing chorus, throbbing bass line, interesting lyrical content - straight off ‘Yes’ and that’s not a bad thing. Shiny, happy, classic pop.

The secret of happiness - dear oh dear, filler. I like a good slow PSB track as much as the next man, but this is Neil and Chris do ‘lounge’ and it just doesn’t work. More elevator music I’m afraid. I’m not being flippant, I’ve tried, I really have. It’s nowhere near ‘wedding in Berlin awful’ but it’s not great, sorry. Sounds like what’s playing in a bar as James Bond seduces his latest flame.

Bullet for narcissus - obviously political(ish) and the lyrics are pretty straightforward to get what Neil’s meaning is. Love how they think these topics up. This lifts side 2 and is better for it. The mix of beats and orchestra really hits home on this one.

Love is the law - This is great. I was a bit ambivalent on the first couple of listens, but then ‘bang’ it hits you. It’s a bit dark and brooding, almost sinister and threatening. Neil almost sings it aggressively and he really means it! That outro, wow!


All in all, it’s great. It’s their best since Electric and it’s so great to wallow in the Tennant Lowe sound again in 2024. Welcome back fellas, the musical world needs you now more than ever.

[DavidG]

Hello,
Being a fan since their debut, this is exactly what I expect from Pet Shop Boys in 2024.

Loneliness - 9/10
Feel - 10/10
Why am I dancing - 8/10
New London boy - 7/10
Dancing star - 8/10
A new bohemia - 9/10
The schlager hit parade - 7/10
The secret of happiness - 9/10
Bullet for Narcissus - 6/10
Love is the law - 8/10 just because of the great outro!

Overall 9/10

[daveid]

I'm really undecided about this album.

Is it their best since Fundamental or best since Very?

It feels like a massive return to form and gets better with each listen. In some ways it's quite an atypical one with sounds and styles normally absent eg saxophones in NLB and the 70s cocktail lounge chill of Happiness.

One thing I'm certain of is that it feels cohesive, like a proper album. Love is the law is a complete masterpiece and closes the show perfectly. It's their best coda since Jealousy, if not King's X.

I can see why Bohemia is the next single, though it's far from the best track. Feel is an exhilarating joy. The only two I feel are a little weak are Why am I dancing? and Narcissus.

I would go for Schlager as single 4

I would go for Schlager as a fourth single

[daveid]

Dp

[Danimal]

I’ve only listened through twice, so too soon for a detailed review, but I take back every negative thing I’ve said in the lead-up to this release as overall it’s an outstanding album. I feel like they finally realized what they tried to achieve, and fell short of, on Nightlife, Release, Fundamental, and Elysium, which is a slick, organic mix of electronics and acoustic instruments.

I know they needed to move on from Stuart Price because, as evidenced by Hotspot, the energy generated by that collaboration was starting to deliver diminishing returns. Having said that, after the last two Depeche Mode albums I was not at all excited by the choice of James Ford as producer. However, he really helped Neil and Chris fully realize a sound they’ve often chased but never before consistently nailed.

After Loneliness and Dancing star as the first two singles I was pretty worried as both, in my opinion are pretty pedestrian affairs as far as Pet Shop Boys go, but the rest of the album, particularly side 1, outshine those tracks in a stand-alone capacity. I now see why they were released as singles as they are the most conventional things on the album, but in terms of writing and production value they are far from the best things here.

Given how light and optimistic the album is, it’s a bit puzzling they chose to end it on a dark note with Love is the law. Is it the optimism of life, especially as a young person, often takes on a somber tone as we enter adulthood? It’s a great song, but doesn’t really fit the rest of the concept.

As others have observed the only piece missing from this album is a true banger. Having said that, if this were to be the final Pet Shop Boys album this would be a high note to go out on. According to Chris there’s a few more left in them so this is not likely the last. When I was in high school in the late 80s I used to think if these guys go until I’m 45 I’ll be lucky. Now I’m 52 and they just released one of their strongest albums, with still more to go. After 40 years how many artists may say that?