If there had been any concerns that after thirty years Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark couldn’t pull off a reformation, they’ll be well and truly dispelled with the release of English Electric.
As pioneers and innovators of the British synth-pop movement of the 80s and 90s, the UK group have kept their distinct sound and style in their new release.
Whilst some of the tracks have almost familiar motifs, listeners can rest assured they’re hearing original tracks, and that the four-piece have simply influenced a genre that well.
Very much an album of the future, English Electric has two distinct, but interwoven storylines; a voice of optimism with a sweet story of love and hope, cut by an authoritative robotic woman barking instructions and commanding silence.
Mixed with the band’s classic synth-pop licks and slides, the whole album comes across as a vaguely post-apocalyptic-Christmas soundtrack, best played by a roaring fire and accompanied by a stiff drink.
The defining track of the album is “Our System”, a clever piece that pulls the totalitarianism of “Please Remain Seated”, “The Future Will Be Silent”, “Decimal”, and “Atomic Ranch” with the optimism of the rest of the album.
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark’s sound as a whole is very British, and their content matches their tone well. The album is clever and catchy, and stands up incredibly well against their earlier work.
