Yazoo

 

Artist:  Yazoo

Origin:  Basildon, Essex, England

Genre:  Pop, Synth-Pop, New Wave, Dance, Alternative Dance, Club, Post-Punk, Proto-Techno, Electropop

Original line-up:

Vince Clarke:  Keyboards

Alison Moyet:  Vocals, Piano

Yazoo were an English Synth-Pop Duo from Basildon, Essex, formed in late 1981 by Vince Clarke (Keyboards Ex Depeche Mode), and Alison Moyet (Vocals Ex Various Punk and Blues Bands).  The pair released two albums,, Upstairs At Eric's and You And Me Both.  The Duo split in May 1983.

Title:  Upstairs At Eric's (2025)

Genre:  Pop, Synth-Pop, New Wave, Dance, Alternative Dance, Club, Post-Punk, Proto-Techno, Electropop

Label:  BMG

Rating:   *****

Format:  LP

Tracks:

Side One:

 1.  Don't Go (3:08)

 2.  Too Pieces (3:14)

 3.  Bad Connection (3:20)

 4.  I Before E Except After C (4:38)

 5.  Midnight (4:22)

 6.  In My Room (3:52)

Side Two:

 1.  Only You (3:14)

 2.  Goodbye 70's (2:35)

 3.  Tuesday (3:22)

 4.  Winter Kills (4:06)

 5.  Bring Your Love Down (Didn't) (4:40)

Personnel:

Alison Moyet:  Vocals, Piano

Vince Clarke:  Instrumentation, Spoken Words on Tracks:  1/4, 6

Upstairs At Eric's is the debut studio album by Yazoo, originally released on August 20, 1982 by Mute, remastered and reissued on June 6, 2025 by BMG, featuring "Only You don't Go" and "Winter Kills", Pressed on Crystal-Clear Vinyl.

The Blue Nile

Artisr:  The Blue Nile

Origin:  Glasgow, Scotland

Genre:  Pop, Synth Pop, Art Rock, Sophisti-Pop, College Rock, Dream Pop, Alternative Pop, alternative Rock, Indie Rock

Original line-up:

Paul Buchanan:  Vocals, Guitar

Robert Bell:  Bass

Paul Joseph "PJ" Moore:  Keyboards

The Blue Nile were a Scottish Folk-Ambient Band from Glasgow, formed in 1981 by Paul Buchanan (Vocals, Guitar), Robert Bell (Bass), and Paul Joseph Moore (Keyboards).  Their first two albums A Walk Across The Roottops and Hats, and some commercial success in both the UK and the USA.

Title:  High (2020)

Genre:  Pop, Synth Pop, Art Rock, Sophisti-Pop, College Rock, Dream Pop, Alternative Pop, alternative Rock, Indie Rock

Label:  Confetti Records

Rating:   *****

Format:  LP

Tracks:

Side One:

 1.  The Days Of Our Lives (3:32)

 2.  I Would Never (4:26)

 3.  Broken Loves (5:20)

 4.  Because Of Toledo (3:53)

 5.  She Saw The World (3:36)

Side Two:

 1.  High (3:46)

 2.  Soul Boy (4:40)

 3.  Everybody Else (3:50)

 4.  Stay Close (7:46)

Personnel:

Paul Buchanan:  Vocals, Guitar, Synthesizers

Robert Bell:  Bass, Synthesizers

Paul Joseph Moore:  Keyboards, Synthesizer

High is the fourth and final studio album by The Blue Nile, originally released on August 30, 2004 by Sanctuary, remastered and reissued on June 5, 2020 by Confetti Records.

 

Duran Duran

 

Artist:  Duran Duran

Origin:  Birmingham, England

Genre:  Pop, Pop Rock, Synth Pop, New Wave, New Pop, Dance Rock, Post-Disco, Punk, New Romantic, Contemporary Pop, Alternative Pop, Indie Rock

Original line-up:

Nick Rhodes:  Keyboards, Synthesizers, Vocal Effects, Backing Vocals, Electronic Percussion

John Taylor:  Bass, Backing Vocals, Guitar

Stephen Duffy:  Lead Vocals, Drums, Bass

Classic line-up:

Nick Rhodes:  Keyboards, Synthesizers, Vocal Effects, Backing Vocals, Electronic Percussion

John Taylor:  Bass, Backing Vocals, Guitar

Simon Le Bon:  Lead Vocals

Andy Taylor:  Guitar

Roger Taylor:  Drums

Duran Duran are an English Pop Rock Band from Birmingham, formed in 1978 by Stephen Duffy (Lead Vocals, Drums, Bass), Nick Rhodes (Keyboards), and John Taylor (Bass, Guitar).  The band's line-up settled in 1980 as Nick Rhodes (Keyboards), John Taylor (Bass, Guitar), along with Simon Le Bon (Lead Vocals), Andy Taylor (Guitar), and Roger Taylor (Drums).

Title:  Rio (2024)

Genre:  Pop, Pop Rock, Synth Pop, New Wave, New Pop, Dance Rock, Post-Disco, Punk, New Romantic, Contemporary Pop, Alternative Pop, Indie Rock

Label:  Parlophone

Rating:   ****

Format:  LP

Tracks:

Side One:

 1.  Rio (5:33)

 2.  My Own Way (4:51)

 3.  Lonely In Your Nightmare (3:50)

 4.  Hungry Like The Wolf (3:41)

 5.  Hold Back The Rain (3:59)

Side Two:

 1.  New Religion (5:31)

 2.  Last Chance On The Stairway (4:21)

 3.  Save A Prayer (5:33)

 4.  The Chauffeur (5:10)

Personnel:

Nick Rhodes:  Keyboards, Synthesizers, Sound Effects, Backing Vocals on Track 2/2

John Taylor:  Bass, Backing Vocals

Simon Le Bon:  Lead Vocals, Vibraphone on Track 2/1, Ocarina on Track 2/4, Marimba on Track 2/2

Andy Taylor:  Guitar, Backing Vocals

Roger Taylor:  Drums, Percussion

Additional Musician:

Andy Hamilton:  Tenor Saxophone on Track 1/1

Rio is the second studio album by Duran Duran, originally released on May 10, 1982 by EMI, remastered and reissued on July. 19, 2024 by Parlophone, includes "Rio" and "Hungry Like The Wolf".

Pet Shop Boys

 

Artist:  Pet Shop Boys
Origin:  London, England
Genre:  Pop, Synthpop, Art Pop, New Wave, Dance Pop, House, Alternative Dance

Original line-up:

Neil Tennant:  Lead  Vocals, Keyboards, Guitar, Bass, Violin, Trumpet
Chris Lowe:  Keyboards, Vocals, Synthesizers, Programming, Samples, Computer, Piano, Electronic Piano, Electric Piano, Drums, Electronic Drums, Organ, Panpipes, Tuba, Didgeridoo, Sequencers

Pet Shop Boys are an English Synthpop Duo from London, formed in 1981, consisting of Neil Tennant (lead Vocals, Keyboards, Guitar, Bass), and Chris Lowe (Keyboards, Synthesizer, Programming, Piano, Organ, Vocals).  They have sold more 50 million records worldwide and are listed as the most successful Duo in UK Music History by The Guinness Book Of Records.  Three-time Brit Award Winners and Six-time Grammy nominees.  Since 1985, they have achieved 42 Top 3 Singles, 22 of them Top 10 Hits in the UK Singles Chart, including four UK No. 1:  "West End Girls" (also No. 1on the US Billboard Hot 100), "It's A Sin", "Always On My Mind", "Heart", "Go West" and more!.  In 2009 Brit Awards in London, they received an Award for Outstanding Contribution To Music.   In 2016, Billboard Magazine name Pet Shop Boys the No. 1 Dance Duo/Group over the 40 years since 1976.  In 2017 they received NME's Godlike Genius Award.

Title:  Nonetheless (2024)

Genre:  Pop, Synthpop, Art Pop, New Wave, Dance Pop, House, Alternative Dance

Label:  Parlophone

Rating:   *****

Format:  CD

Tracks:

 1.  Loneliness (5:37)

 2.  Feel (5:02)

 3.  Why Am I Dancing? (3:33)

 4.  New London Boy (4:53)

 5.  Dancing Star (3:02)

 6.  A New Bohemia (4:01)

 7.  The Schlager Hit Parade (3:29)

 8.  The Secret Of Happiness (5:25)

 9.  Bullet For Narcissus (3:51)

10. Love Is The Law (5:00)

Format:  LP

Tracks:

Side A:

 1.  Loneliness (5:37)

 2.  Feel (5:02)

 3.  Why Am I Dancing? (3:33)

 4.  New London Boy (4:53)

 5.  Dancing Star (3:02)

Side B:

 6.  A New Bohemia (4:01)

 7.  The Schlager Hit Parade (3:29)

 8.  The Secret Of Happiness (5:25)

 9.  Bullet For Narcissus (3:51)

10. Love Is The Law (5:00)

Personnel:

Neil Tennant:  Lead  Vocals, Keyboards, Guitar, Programming
Chris Lowe:  Keyboards, Vocals, Guitar, Programming

Additional Musicians:

Abimbola Amoake-Gyanmpah:  Additional Vocals on Tracks:  1-4, 6-10

Nile Bailey:  Vocals on Track 1, Additional Vocals on Tracks:  2-4, 6-10

Senab Adekunle:   Vocals  1, Additional Vocals on Tracks:  2-4, 6-10

Daisy Vatalano:  Cello on Tracks:  2-10

Laura Moody:  Cello on Tracks:  2-10

Sergio Serra:  Cello on Tracks:  2-10

Val Welbanks:  Cello on Tracks:  2-10

Adam Chatterton:  Flugelhorn, Trumpet on Tracks:  2-10

David Hopkin:  Flugelhorn, Trumpet on Tracks:  2-10

Graeme Flowers:  Flugelhorn, Trumpet on Tracks:  2-10

Seratina Steer:  Harp on Tracks:  2-10

Alison De Scuza:  Viola on Tracks:  2-10

Zami Jalil:  Viola on Tracks:  2-10

Morgan Goff:  Viola on Tracks:  2-4, 6-10, Violin on Track 5

Amy May:  Viola on Tracks:  2, 4, 6-10, Cello on Track 3, Violin on Track 5

Anna de Bruin:  Violin on Tracks:  2-10

Emma Smith:  Violin on Tracks:  2-10

Hazel Correa:  Violin on Tracks:  2-10

Flora Curzon:  Violin on Tracks:  2-10

Jennymay Logan:  Violin on Tracks: 2-10

Lucy Wilkins:  Violin on Tracks:  2-10

Patrick Dawkins:  Violin on Tracks:  2-10

Ros Stephen: Violin on Tracks:  2-9

Ronald Long:  Violin on Tracks:  2-6, 8-10

Preetha Narayanan:  Violin:  on Tracks:  2-5, 7-9

Freya Goldmark:  Violin on Tracks:  2-4, 6-10

Carys Evans:  French Horn on Tracks:  2, 3, 5-10

Joseph Ryan:  French Horn on Tracks:  2, 3, 5-10

Richard Ashton:  French Horn on Tracks:  2, 3, 5-10

Samuel Freeman:  Bass Trombone on Tracks:  2, 3, 5-10

Chris Augustine:  Trombone on Tracks:  2, 3, 5-10

Jo Stokes:  Trombone on Tracks:  2, 3, 5-10

Barnaby Slade:  Tuba on Tracks:  2, 3, 5-10

Koton Sato:  Violin on Tracks:  3-10

Simmy Sing:  Violin on Tracks:  6, 10

Nonetheless is the fifteenth studio album by Pet Shop Boys, released on April 26, 2024 by Parlophone, featuring the single "Loneliness".  the album reached No. 1 on Scottish Albums Chart.

Dead or Alive

 

Artist:  Dead Or Alive

Origin:  Liverpool, England

Genre:  Dance Pop, Eurodisco, Synth-Pop, H-NRB, Dance Rock, Contemporary Pop, Club, Dance

Original line-up:

Pete Burns:  Voocals, Tambourine

Mike Reid:  Gutars

Martin Healy:  Keyboards

Walter Ogden:  Bass

Paul Hornby:  Drums

Dead Or Alive were an English Pop Band from Liverpool, formed in 1980 by Pete Burns (Vocals, Tambourine), Mike Reid (Guitar), Martin Healy (Keyboards), Walter Ogden (Bass), and Paul Hornby (Drums).  The band found success in the mid 1980s releasing seven singles that made the UK Top 40 and three albums in the UK Top 30.  They have sold more than 30 million albums and 25 million singles worldwide.

Title:  Dead Or Alive:  The Pete Hammond HI-NRG Remixes (Deluxe Packaging 2 CD) (2024)

Genre:  Dance Pop, Eurodisco, Synth-Pop, Hi-NRB, Dance Rock, Contemporary Pop, Club, Dance

Label:  Demon Music

Rating:   *****

Format:  CD

Tracks:

Disc 1:

 1.  You Spin Me Round (Like A Record) 2000 (9:37)

 2.  Hit And Run Lover (8:28)

 3.  U Were Meant 4 Me (8:28)

 4.  Love Come Back To Me 2000 (8:24)

 5.  My Love Is On The Line (8:56)

 6.  Gone 2 Long  (8:13)

Disc 2:

 1.  Total Stranger (10:09)

 2.  Unhappy Birthday (9:26)

 3.  Something In My House 2000 (8:05)

 4.  I Don't Care About Your Heart (8:53)

 5.  My Heart Goes Bang 2000 (8:30)

Personnel:

Pete Burns:  All Instruments, Programming, Remix

Dead Or Alive:  The Pete Hammond JI-NRG Remixes is the remixes album by Dead Or Alive, released on April 26, 2024 by Demon Music Group, in 2 CD Deluxe Set Gatefold Packaging, with 8-page booklet.

Savage Garden

 

Artist:  Savage Garden

Origin:  Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Genre:  Pop, Pop Rock, Soft Rock, Synth-Pop, Adult Contemporary, Dance Pop, Alternative Pop, Indie Pop

Original line-up:

Darren Hayes:  Vocals

Daniel Jones. Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals 

Savage Garden were an Australian Pop Duo consisting of Darren Hayes (Vocals), and Daniel Jones (Guitar, Keybaords,Vocals), formed in Brisbane, Queensland in 1993, and achieved international success with their No. 1 singles "I Want You", "To The Moon And Back", (both 1996), "Truly Madly Deeply" (1997), and "I Knew I Loved You" (1999).

Title:  Savage Garden (2023)

Genre:  Pop, Pop Rock, Soft Rock, Synth-Pop, Adult Contemporary, Dance Pop, Alternative Pop, Indie Pop

Label:  Sony Music

Rating:   *****

Format:  LP

Tracks:

LP 1:

Side A:

 1.  To The Moon & Back (5:41)

 2.  Carry On Dancing (3:45)

 3.  Tears Of Pearls (3:46)

Side B:

 1.  I Want You (3:52)pop

 2.  Truly Madly Deeply (4:37)

 3.  Violet (4:04)

LP 2:

Side A:

 1.  All Around Me (4:11)

 2.  Universe (4:20)

 3.  A Thousand Words (4:00)

Side B:

 1.  Break Me Shake Me (3:23)

 2.  Mine (4:30)

 3.  Santa Monica (3:37)

Personnel:

Darren Hayes:  Lead and Background Vocals

Daniel Jones. Lead & Rhythm Guitars, Keyboards, Sequecing, Background Vocals

Terepal Richmond:   Drums, Percussion

Alex Hewetson:  Bass

Rex Goh:  Rhythm & Lead Guitar

Jackie Orzaczky:  String Orchestration and Conducting

Savage Garden is the debut studio album by Savage Garden, originally released on March 4, 1997 by Columbia Records, remastered and reissued on June 9, 2023 by Sony Music, featuring the No. 1 singles "I Want You", "To The Moon And Back", "Truly Madly Deeply", and "I Knew I Loved You".