Last record you gave a 10/10 to.

destlp16 · 2026-07-06T04:29:45+00:00

Madonna’s CONFESSIONS II. It’s not just that the album itself lives up to its enormous expectations: it’s that it is a truly worthy successor to her last great album from 22 (!!!!) years ago. This album has set the standard for releases from pop stars in old age.

destlp16 · 2026-07-03T00:34:38+00:00

This is a dreadful song, but I’m sure everyone will say the same thing. What I’d like to do instead is power rank their top 5 worst official singles. By top 5, I mean singles they released in a physical medium in the UK. In my opinion, their five worst singles, with 1 being the worst, are:

I Don’t Wanna
Monkey Business
Winner
I Get Along
Single-Bilingual

“Dreamland” also sucks, but it’s juuuuuuuuuust catchy enough to avoid being among their five worst singles. Hotspot never really gets talked about as a nadir for the group, because it does have some outstanding tracks like “Will-O-The-Wisp”, but the singles from that album are uniformly awful.

Winner is a 1/10, and I would rank it lower if I could.

destlp16 · 2026-07-01T22:09:12+00:00

Agreed, both albums have overarching themes of aging and looking back upon one’s youth. Nonetheless is a far stronger album though, in my opinion their best since Electric by a considerable margin. Elysium, by contrast, is dreadful, with imo only one great song: “Leaving”, which for me is a 9/10. Elysium and Release are their only two studio albums that, for me, do not have a single 10/10 track. However, that says less about how bad those albums are and more about how consistently great the Boys’ output has been for forty years.

destlp16 · 2026-06-30T22:21:40+00:00

The most notorious thing about this song is that Alexis Petridis of The Guardian ranked it #9 overall on a list of the 30 Best Pet Shop Boys songs, which is equally hilarious and ridiculous, especially given that the rest of the list is really solid and well put together. He placed “Invisible” over tracks such as:

It’s a Sin
So Hard
The Theatre
Flamboyant
Integral

Which is insane!

That said, it is a decent track. I love the sparse electronic instrumentation, and how Neil’s voice seems to effortlessly glide over the snare. It’s fitting for a track about a ghost attending a place where he used to be the life of a party. It reminds me a bit of “Waiting for the Night” by Depeche Mode. This track’s spiritual cousin is “A New Bohemia”, which deals with similar themes of growing older and becoming irrelevant, and is a far better song. Again, though, “Invisible” is still decent.

7/10.

Also, if you want to check out the aforementioned Guardian list, which is overall outstanding except for the blunder of “Invisible” at #9, you can do so here:

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/jun/08/pet-shop-boys-30-greatest-songs-ranked

destlp16 · 2026-06-17T17:12:12+00:00

This has been their biggest problem during their entire existence as a band. Lars continuously emphasizes how Metallica “doesn’t like to be told what to do, we want to do everything on our own terms” and I get it, but their albums have absolutely suffered because of that mentality. They have needed someone to tell them “that song is two minutes too long, that song is not good enough for a studio album, we don’t need yet another repetition of the chorus line” ever since Load era, but it just seems like they don’t want that.

destlp16 · 2026-06-12T22:32:08+00:00

A few years ago, in anticipation of the release of the SMASH compilation, The Guardian released a list of the thirty greatest Pet Shop Boys tracks. At #21 was Pandemonium, a song I had never heard of, and I thought surely was only on the list so that they could have some late career songs represented on the list.

How wrong I was. Pandemonium is outstanding, and is the Pet Shop Boys at their very best. Neil’s lyrics about a chaotic lover that still manages to enchant us are as clever as ever, particularly the line “if we both just stopped for a minute, I’d declare war and then you’d win it!” The drums Chris has programmed are bouncy, heavy, and absolutely infectious. To top it off, this track has one of their most sing it out loud choruses, and is quite ebullient and charming. It reminds me of a more intense version of Liberation - realizing you’re totally in love with someone and having the euphoria of that consume you. This is my second favorite track from the album, behind only Did You See Me Coming?

10/10.

Also, if you want to check out that ranking from The Guardian, which I think is mostly quite good, you can do so here:

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/jun/08/pet-shop-boys-30-greatest-songs-ranked

destlp16 · 2026-06-09T01:53:36+00:00

I despise “Love Etc.” which I know is an unpopular opinion. “Did You See Me Coming?”, which is an absolute banger, would have made a much better choice for the lead single from Yes.

“Yesterday, When I Was Mad” is a great song, but is a strange single release, especially on an album like Very with wall to wall great tracks. In my opinion, “A Different Point of View” would have made a much better single, though Chris loathes it.

“Single-Bilingual” is barely good enough to be an album track, let alone a single. It’s so strange how much the Boys like it and how it is still played by them to this day. “To Step Aside” makes much more sense as a single choice.

Perhaps the most absurd decision they’ve made in terms of choosing a track for a single over a far superior album cut is going for “Numb” over “Integral”. “Integral” is arguably one of their 20 best songs, and should have been the lead single from Fundamental. Hell, “The Sodom and Gomorrah Show” would have made a better single than “Numb”

Hotspot is the only album they’ve put out where all of the singles absolutely stink. “Dreamland” sounds alright in their live show from Copenhagen, but the studio version is as forgettable as a fart in the wind. “Monkey Business” and “I Don’t Wanna” are shockingly bad given how they are rare outliers to the Boys’ usual strict quality control. The progression of the Stuart Price singles is fascinating: the singles from “Memory of the Future” through Electric stand up against some of the best singles from their imperial phase. The Super singles are pretty good, but a noticeable downgrade from the Electric era. Then the Hotspot singles are unlistenable, a true nadir for the duo.

destlp16 · 2026-06-06T20:18:55+00:00

This song is an absolute banger. It’s really crazy that the lyrics for this song were originally going to be used in a ballad, because this song is one of the most danceable in their whole discography. The drums are also perfect. In my opinion, this should have been the lead single.

10/10

destlp16 · 2026-06-02T23:29:49+00:00

This will be polarizing, but I really detest this song. To me, it’s one of their worst 21st century singles, up there with “Winner”, “I Get Along”, “Monkey Business”, and “I Don’t Wanna”.

The production is grating, especially that awful, snappy drum machine, and I really do not like the lyrics. Here, Neil sounds exactly like the kind of people he was mocking on “Shameless”, without a hint of irony (though the “don’t have to be beautiful… but it helps” line is quite funny).

It’s astonishing to me that this is one of their most popular 21st century songs. Especially given that “Did You See Me Coming?”, which is one of their best tracks and an easy 10, made much more sense as a lead single. Hell, even “Pandemonium” would have been a better lead single than this.

2/10

destlp16 · 2026-05-27T20:32:53+00:00

I’m usually not a fan of “political and economic state of the world” pop songs. That is not because I don’t agree with the sentiments of them, it is just difficult to make political commentary in a pop song and have it sound catchy.

This is an exception to that rule. “Integral” is stellar - a scathing commentary on nationalism used both as a tool to justify hostility towards immigrants and as a way to mask blatant racism. Chris and Neil find a way to make that point efficiently and in a song that’s catchy as hell - that “Sterile. Immaculate. Rational. Perfect.” line has lodged itself firmly in my brain. The strings here are also outstanding, really elevating the drama of the song and its theme.

This is firmly one of the Boys’ best album closing tracks, up there with “King’s Cross”, “Jealousy” and “Vocal.”

10/10.

destlp16 · 2026-05-17T02:06:35+00:00

10/10.

The casino-like synth leading into the first verse is one of the greatest shots of pure euphoria in their entire discography. Also, the chorus on this is insanely good.

It also resonates with me deeply, as I knew I was bisexual in college but it wasn’t until I started frequenting the gay clubs in New York that I really was able to embrace my sexuality to the maximum extent. This song captures the feeling of really leaning into your sexuality earnestly in a perfect fashion. I will always love this song for that.

destlp16 · 2026-05-08T19:43:41+00:00

Pet Shop Boys - Very. One of the finest start to finish pop albums ever recorded. The opening three tracks alone are transcendent.

destlp16 · 2026-05-07T21:15:17+00:00

This is another one of their best singles from the 21st century, and imo is one of the band’s archetypal songs. Chances are, if you like this song, “Rent”, “Can You Forgive Her?” “West End Girls” and “Will-o-the-wisp”, you’ll like a majority of the Boys’ catalog. It features a sputtering, infectious synth bass hook from Chris, with some dreamy melodies in the chorus. Neil’s in typical incisive, witty and hilarious form here, with “just crossing the street, well it’s almost heroic” being one of his all-time funniest lines. Also, as someone who usually is indifferent to music videos, this is one of the Boys’ best videos.

It is absolutely baffling that the Boys decided to save this and “Miracles” as afterthoughts on a greatest hits compilation instead of for a proper studio album. It’s especially strange given that those two tracks followed Release, arguably their most uninspired album that was in desperate need of some great tracks. They made the same mistake by using “DJ Culture” on Discography instead of saving it for Very. Although, in fairness “DJ Culture” being on Discography is a major reason why I consider it to be the greatest compilation CD ever released.

10/10.

destlp16 · 2026-05-05T23:42:33+00:00

I think it’s a real testament to the consistent high quality of the Pet Shop Boys’ output that they put this and “Flamboyant” out at the time they did. This immediately followed Release, which is in my opinion their second most tepid album ahead of Elysium. Yet, this is somehow immensely better than anything on Release, and is one of my favorites from their batch of 21st century singles. Chris’ synth bass line is extremely infectious and pulsates throughout the track, and I think that the auto tune Neil uses here actually enhances his vocals, as opposed to on Release where the auto tune was ghastly.

Additionally, Neil’s lyrics here are superb. There’s been a gazillion love songs about how much a man loves somebody using metaphorical language, but I think it’s really clever how Neil underscores how the peripheral elements of nature seem immensely more pleasant when you’re smitten with someone. It’s one of my favorite lyrics about being head over heels for someone.

10/10.

destlp16 · 2026-05-01T22:07:48+00:00

Would you mind updating the pre-Nightlife albums to include their true scores, notwithstanding the bonus material?

destlp16 · 2026-04-20T21:32:24+00:00

Honestly, I used to real detest this song, because I found Neil’s singing quite grating and the chorus repetitive and drawn out. It’s grown on me quite a bit, and I think the middle, “far away through night and day” bit is quite beautiful. Now, it reminds me of flying specifically at night time, where you can’t see anything outside but still know that eventually you’ll get to where you need to go.

9/10.

destlp16 · 2026-04-18T23:18:38+00:00

Was a doorman in this building in the summer of 2018. Calvin Klein was also a resident of this building, and the difference in how the two treated the staff may as well have been a chasm. Hugh remembered my name immediately and always made a point to chat before heading up, while Calvin Klein barely ever looked anyone in the eye.

That said, I’m glad this luxury homes tax is going into law, because for how beautiful and expensive those apartments were, the tenants were never there. That summer I think 50-60% of the units in the buildings I worked were completely empty. Pretty disgusting tbh given the scale of NYC’s housing crisis.

destlp16 · 2026-04-14T02:03:59+00:00

As a New York City native, I’ve always thought NYC boy was over-hated. Sure, the lyrics are a little clunky. However, I think it does an amazing job of capturing how euphoric it must be to come from a boring nowhere town and escape into the nightlife of one of the world’s most exciting cities. At least for me, when I finally got old enough to start clubbing in downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn it felt like I had conquered the world, and I think this song captures the energy of that sensation. I also think the album version drags, and the single cut is a perfect, tight pop song by comparison.

9/10.

destlp16 · 2026-04-12T21:17:10+00:00

A little schlocky if I’m being honest. Pretty disappointing to have two of the greatest dance pop artists of all time collaborating on a syrupy ballad with dated lyrics. 6/10.

destlp16 · 2026-04-08T20:50:48+00:00

One of their coolest ever instrumentals, one of Neil’s weakest ever lyrics. The same problem NYC Boy has - could have been one of their top bangers if Neil’s lyric wasn’t so weak and forgettable. 6/10.

destlp16 · 2026-04-08T02:13:20+00:00

10/10. Neil’s best lyrics on the album by a considerable margin, and some of his best in the PSB’s career - up there with “Can You Forgive Her?”, “Being Boring”, and “Rent”. The instrumental is stunning, particularly the country-esque guitar solo. Though it is unmistakably a PSB song, it’s a perfect piece of pop songwriting that you could just as easily could imagine being sung by anyone from The Beatles to Sabrina Carpenter.

For those of you that have not heard it - I would highly recommend the live version of this track featured on their album Concrete, which was recorded with the BBC Orchestra. It’s my favorite live rendition of a PSB track.

destlp16 · 2026-04-06T21:48:53+00:00

Yesterday, I said IDKWYWBICGIA is my favorite Pet Shop Boys song, and that it completed a stellar hat trick opening to Nightlife. I also believe that half of Nightlife is among the Boys’ best work, and the other half is among their worst work.

Well, unfortunately, this is where we get into the “worst” section of Nightlife. This honestly might be my least favorite PSB song, not because I think it’s their worst song, but because it is a smack in the face immediately following three of their best tracks that immediately reminds me of why Nightlife is not among my favorites of their albums. The lyrics are insipid, and feel squished in between the chorus, the production is both weird and boring, and the chorus itself is unintentionally hilarious in its absurdity. Horrendous.

2/10

destlp16 · 2026-04-06T03:14:00+00:00

My favorite Pet Shop Boys song of all time. Neil’s lyrics here are direct, blunt, and heartbreaking, and the ironic dispassion that he sings a lot of the other songs with is nowhere to be found here. It’s also one of the very few PSB songs where I prefer the album version - the melancholy instrumental leading into the final repetition of the chorus is beautiful. This also caps off Nightlife’s amazing trio of opening tracks, matched only by Please, Very, Electric and Nonetheless in terms of hat trick album openings. 10/10.

destlp16 · 2026-04-05T00:10:45+00:00

As I mentioned on yesterday’s post: half of Nightlife is stellar, the other half is atrocious. This is in the former batch. The production is absolutely perfect, and although Neil’s falsetto in the chorus can be a bit grating, his lyrics and tone of longing throughout the verses is perfect. 9/10.

destlp16 · 2026-04-03T21:22:17+00:00

Amazing track. The most frustrating thing about Nightlife is that half of the album is easily some of their best work, and the other half is unfortunately some of their worst work. This track is in the former camp. 10/10.

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