Rating: ****
If ever there was an act destined to come out on top amid 2020’s trend for slick synths and throwback tracks, it’s Erasure – and The Neon triumphs as a masterclass in synth-pop.
Over 10 tracks, Andy Bell and Vince Clarke cement their legacy as one of Britain’s premier pop acts, proving the pair are masters of the genre. The Neon features exemplary songwriting and impeccable synth work from Clarke – who was recently presented with the Special Recognition prize at the Association Of Independent Music (AIM) Awards.
Kicking off with lead single Hey Now (Think I Got A Feeling), The Neon is an instant hit, catapulting the listener on a musical journey that plays out like a night on the town. Tracks 1 to 5 are pure pop in its finest form, featuring previously released tracks Nerves of Steel and Shot A Satellite – an early favourite – and new tunes Fallen Angel and No Point in Tripping.
Integral to Erasure’s legacy is their status as LGBTQ+ icons, and the queer themes of The Neon are beautifully showcased throughout. “Ride on top of a rollercoaster / Walk up a down escalator / Fly like a fallen angel / Love just like its second nature,” Andy sings on Fallen Angel, which reads as an empowering Pride anthem.
If the first half of The Neon is the party, the latter is the inevitable turning point in the night – where feelings kick in, and so begins the emotional rollercoaster of lust, longing, and a need for love. And while the second portion of the record shifts sonically, the end result is arguably the more interesting collection of tracks on the album, which cut to the heart of Erasure.
“Stuck in the tower of love / You whispered in my ear / ‘Don’t go there! Don’t go there!’,” kicks off Tower of Love with its noticeably darker sound, while follow-up Diamond Lies, is a dark, pounding synth number about a forbidden love. “What a sight for sore eyes / With your diamond lies / I’ve gotta stop pretending / I can’t take you now,” Andy croons in the lust-driven chorus.
Piano ballad New Horizons is a raw longing for a distant lover – which, although the album was finished before lockdown, takes on a whole new meaning as Andy reveals he’s been separated from his partner, who’s in Miami, Florida, since lockdown began in March. A perfect slow burner, but the possibilities for a dramatic, synth-heavy remix are undeniable.
The love theme continues on penultimate track Careful What I Try To Do, before The Neon rounds off with Kid You’re Not Alone – a stunning ode to fate, destiny and self-acceptance, showcasing possibly Andy’s finest vocal on the album. Not only is it the perfect end to The Neon, but it’s also an entireley necessary message for 2020.
Andy and Vince describe The Neon as “a place that lives in the imagination… a place of possibility in warm, glowing light and this is music that takes you there.” Achieving everything they set out to do and more, Erasure’s new album is an essential record not just for fans, but for anyone looking for hope, faith and guidance during these undeniably challenging times.
Pour a glass of wine, turn the volume up loud and hit play – individually, The Neon is 10 superb tracks, but as a collection it’s a triumphant effort that ranks high in Erasure’s 35-year legacy.
The Neon is out Friday, August 21st. Pre order here.
