Don't you want success?

Disclaimer: this article was originally written for publication in the University of Manchester Students' Union's newspaper, The Mancunion. As its author also writes for this fabulous blog, it's also on here, however regular readers may note a change in style and voice. Just go with it, pretend you're reading a paper.

The concept of sound evolution is key in ensuring your career, no matter how successful you may be at your peak, is a long-lasting one. Some of the finest artists who began their careers in the eighties yet are still producing commercially and artistically successful work today have consistently experimented with their sound and image, taking different directions from one album to the next. Unfortunately, it seems the Human League didn’t get that memo.

Possibly the first internationally successful synth-pop outfit, the band have pumped out some corkers; “Together (In Electric Dreams)”, “(Keep Feeling) Fascination” and of course “Don’t You Want Me” are time-stamped with eighties-only motifs yet continually get the hands raised in the air at working mens’ club discos across the country. Is that a compliment? Unfortunately, their fall from grace was swift and severe; their electronic feasts of shimmering, glittering pop glory had no place in the early nineties and were quickly confined to being played on late-night ‘retro’ radio slots. Their influence and legacy was all over the final years of the last decade; La Roux was basically a Human League tribute act while Little Boots managed to nab frontman Phil Oakey for a (very good, by the way) duet on her debut. After a rather painful listen however, it’s regrettable to say their latest effort, Credo, is horrific.

It sounds like a relic from 1982 – not a brilliant slice of nostalgia or fond re-visit to another time in pop but a cringefest of festering cringe. The lyrics are painful ; “You should try another point of view / Take a look at mine” nearly knocked me out while the excessive auto tune just seems a bit... desperate? I wanted to like it, I really did. It’s just... shit.