Pet Shop Boys Community

Didn’t they say that Burning the heather was meant for this album? It would suggest a warmer feel to the record. And I note the guitar in the foreground of the shot.

Suspect we won’t see this until spring next year. But that’s fine with me. Just super excited now!

I reckon Depeche Mode are a red herring here. PSB would only use the same producer at the same time as such a contemporary if they were doing something markedly different. While Ford is obviously an electronic producer, he also has other depths, alluded to in the photo, and I suspect PSB are tapping into the flexibility he will be able to bring to the record. We know Neil was a big fan of the Last Shadow Puppets’ first album. Chris picked the Simian remix for Back to Mine and the Klaxons’ Golden Skans as one of his Literally choices.

As well as those called out by others in this thread, looking through his discography I can also spot work he’s done for Haim and Everything Everything which I have enjoyed and would recommend to other PSB fans. Plus Aries which is an exceptional Gorillaz track. Interestingly he has just signed to electronic music label Warp as a solo artist, but his first release again points to something more textured and trickier to label.

Whichever direction they take, I’m glad they’ve still the budget to use a name producer and no doubt keep the catalogue to the same high standard.


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Well, they are obviously multi millionaires, so money should be no problem.

Dog wrote: Tue 14 Mar 2023, 10:23 pm You never know, this could be the first Pet Shop Boys’ full band record, pulling in the Dreamworld musicians.


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Well Release was their first full band album - Bic Hayes and Mark Refoy on guitars and bass and Jodie Linscott on percussion. Plus the guitars from Johnny Marr and Neil. Add in Chris’s keys and you have a fully fledged band right there!

I'm sure PSB were watching this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qS_o7XpnEqA

A dark, electronic producer, it's what you can expect from PSB these days. The problem is the mood of his productions, quite sad and with not too much soul from my perspective. I want more than electronic bits on the new album a more diverse sound. The pic with other not electronic music instruments made me happy.

I turn my back for 2 seconds and then this news lands!

Wow! - happy and excited to hear a producer has been lined up and the boys are progressing a new album

Didn't know James Ford by name but after looking up what he's produced previously, I'm pleased with his involvement.

I love a lot of the songs he's worked on. From Humbug, Cornerstone is just stunning - my fave Arctic Monkeys track. Last Shadow Puppets also a big yes for me with the orchestral flourishes. I also rate the Gorillaz Now Now - lot's of atmosphere and melancholy here and would love Damon to duet with Neil on a PSB track one day. The new DM Ghosts again single sounds superb also - heavy and moody bass and synth - the production is crisp! And with the What's your Pleasure album from Jessie - sounds like Ford is no stranger to full on upbeat synth pop.

Who knows ... wishful thinking but we may get this album late 2023

Cornerstone ... the storytelling is top class: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIQz6zZi7R0

James Ford producing, that is a concern, the work he has done with Depeche Mode has been awfu.

Gary1962 wrote:James Ford producing, that is a concern, the work he has done with Depeche Mode has been awfu.

The songs on Spirit were poor - nothing wrong with the production.


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canveyboy wrote:

Dog wrote: Tue 14 Mar 2023, 10:23 pm You never know, this could be the first Pet Shop Boys’ full band record, pulling in the Dreamworld musicians.


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Well Release was their first full band album - Bic Hayes and Mark Refoy on guitars and bass and Jodie Linscott on percussion. Plus the guitars from Johnny Marr and Neil. Add in Chris’s keys and you have a fully fledged band right there!

Yes, I guess so. I was thinking more in terms of the presentation - photos / the cover showing PSB as a five piece, for example.


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Dog wrote: Wed 15 Mar 2023, 11:37 am

Gary1962 wrote:James Ford producing, that is a concern, the work he has done with Depeche Mode has been awfu.

The songs on Spirit were poor - nothing wrong with the production.


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this ^

Really, really exciting news for me. Jessie Ware's WYP is my favourite album from the last few years and I still listen to some of its tracks on a daily basis. Looking forward to discover what the Boys create with Ford. Something as dark, pulsating and thrilling as Spotlight, WYP or The Kill would be magic.

Jessie's album was so good as well as Kylie's Disco Guest List...

PSB covered so much dance territory with Electric/Super (pop, electro, house, rave) Will be nice to see some Vintage Disco flourishes....like Requiem in Denim and Leopardskin?

I love Jessie Ware’s “What’s Your Pleasure?” album too. However, it’s worth noting that James Ford is one of seven producers credited.

Nickname wrote: Wed 15 Mar 2023, 10:55 am The problem is the mood of his productions, quite sad and with not too much soul from my perspective.

I reckon this is something set by the artists, songwriting and vocal delivery. PSB have quite a range of emotion, he'd have to work really hard to stuff that up

After the Price era, we'd be due for a more definitively themed album, dontchathink?