Soft Cell have delayed the release of their new album ‘*Happiness Not Included’.

The group’s first album in 20 years was set for release on February 25 but production delays have forced the duo to put the LP on hold until May. 

“Due to ongoing production delays beyond our control, the brand new #SoftCell album *Happiness not included will now be released worldwide on 6th May,” they tweeted. 

“The album will be preceded by a brand new single in March with a great package of remixes and bonus tracks. 

“Watch out for full news and format information coming very soon.”

Marc Almond and Dave Ball added: “We understand that it’s been a long wait for this new album – for us too – but we are so nearly there now, and really appreciate your ongoing support.

 “This delay has also enabled us to add some very special new elements to the album, which we can’t wait to share!”

‘*Happiness Not Included’ is available to pre-order on CD, vinyl and cassette. 

The LP features 10 new tracks and, according to Dave, “reflects the dreadful government we have at the moment and the levels of hypocrisy and incompetence”.

Marc adds: “In this album, I wanted to look at us as a society, a place where we have chosen to put profits before people, money before morality and decency, food before the rights of animals, fanaticism before fairness and our own trivial comforts before the unspeakable agonies of others.”

“I think it’s very much reflective of what’s going on in the world,” Dave continues. “The fact we had someone like [Donald] Trump in power. We’re not in a very good place globally. 

“Whatever your political beliefs are, the state [of the world] isn’t too good. And obviously, with all the global warming and all that sort of stuff going on, it’s not fantastically happy times.”

Read the full interview in the Retro Pop 2022 Preview Special, out now. Get yours here: Retro Pop Store.