DJ Timmy sandwiches the second musical quarter between two versions of an emotional masterpiece, with a satisfying filling of dancefloor-orientated tunes sending us partying into the holiday season.
It's probably in no way surprising that yours truly has picked altogether eight (!) Pet Shop Boys tracks for this year's second poptastic selection of "banging" and "happening" top tunes. Not only have we been graced with a landmark release in the Boys' career with Nonetheless, as stated in my review, but also with such high-quality b-sides – or bonus tracks as they should now be called – that it's simply impossible not to include the latest two. I've got plans (involving you) and It's not a crime are new recordings of unreleased demos that PSB wrote way back in 1982, and they certainly have that lovely Italo disco feel that formed the basis for the group's trademark sound.
The songs are included on the A new bohemia single, the video for which was directed by Andrew Haigh – also director of the brilliant film All of Us Strangers – which will be analysed in an upcoming post very soon. Besides being a beautifully crafted film and the most poignant portrayal of loneliness and loss I have ever seen, it connected directly with the synthpop nerd in me and my childhood, with various references to my favourite groups.
Talking about references, there's countless hints to PSB's past glories in the A new bohemia video – the seaside setting of the It couldn't happen here film, the roses from Behaviour's cover art, the bowler hats from the Performance tour, the roller disco rink setting from the Winner video, and the Dreamland amusement park in Margate, which gave the title for the collaboration of the same name with Olly Alexander.
All these reflective references have once again sparked discussion and speculation as to whether the boys are wrapping up their career and how A new bohemia is a swan song of sorts. I don't believe this to be the case at all, since N&C are clearly as creative and productive as ever and have already listed several upcoming projects. The new album was mostly written during the pandemic – a period that caused many of us to go into a contemplative mood and look back at past achievements and plan for a future that would never be the same again. Also, it's only natural that filming the new BBC retrospective documentary Then and now (which includes various clips from Helsinki, quite excitingly) required taking a look back – and unearthing some early demo tapes.
However, it's not all about PSB, believe it or not. Rod Thomas aka Bright Light Bright Light gets three prime cuts served up on this edition of DJ Timmy's all you can consume fiesta of unashamedly "up" electronic dance pop. BLBL has been a regular feature on my top lists, and the new album Enjoy Youth does not disappoint. If not quite among BLx2's stone cold pop classics, Snap! – featuring Berri of The Sunshine After The Rain fame (which us oldies remember dancing to in 1995), Keep – written together with one of my all-time favourite producers and remixers Richard X, and Lose This Feeling – a bonus track with a very familiar Vince Clarke -like soundscape, are all thoroughly enjoyable pop nuggets to savour and cherish.
Another notable mention goes out to Conan Gray whose album Found Heaven – at least to my ears – manages to somehow balance between being simply a pastiche of the 80s synth sound and a completely new take on the genre. DJ Timmy has lifted three tracks off the album for your listening pleasure, because they are all nicely crafted pop ditties, backed with a bit of modern oomph from once ubiquitous mega producer Max Martin. Boys & Girls in particular has a nice Human League-esque feel to it.
While on the subject of The Human League, the aforementioned Richard X has worked on a track from the rather lovely Chaos Magic album by my fellow countryman Jaakko Eino Kalevi. The remix of I Forget has been humorously titled Richard X's Ihmisliigatyyli Remix, which translated loosely from Finnish means "in the style of the human league".
Other tracks that have made Timmy feel chuffed to bits and let out spontaneous cries of "blimey!" include the Blancmange remix of Rain from the re-release of Erasure's Cowboy album in remastered and expanded form, the return of Propaganda with two new tasters (yes, they're back! Back! BACK!!! as Smash Hits would put it), and the first proper single release from up-and-coming Finnish synth act HELKA (of whom we will hopefully hear more soon).
My top list is rounded off in typical DJ Timmy fashion with the usual one-two punch of more club-flavoured, slightly throwaway but highly enjoyable tracks, including yet another 90s rave anthem from Confidence Man and also yet another sex-laden perv-a-licious banger involving the talents of Tove Lo. As mentioned in the intro, the dance party ends with a remix by Alex Metric of A new bohemia that seemed a bit misjointed at first but after repeated listens reveals its brilliance. On this note, here's to a lovely summer of boogying on down, tripping the light fantastic and enjoying many a shindig!
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