Neil Tennant, left, and Chris Lowe, of the Pet Shop Boys, perform at the Rock in Rio music festival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, Sept. 15, 2017. Forty years and 50 million record sales after the Pet Shop Boys rose to fame with “West End Girls,” the iconic British duo is releasing a new album. “Nonetheless” is their 15th studio album. It arrives Friday, April 26, 2024.
In the lead-up to the release of their 15th studio album, "Nonetheless," the legendary British duo, Pet Shop Boys, took a reflective dive into their four-decade-long journey. Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe, the creative forces behind the iconic group, discussed a range of topics, from their approach to staying relevant to the inspiration behind their latest musical endeavor.
Tennant emphasized their disregard for chasing trends, highlighting the importance of following their instincts instead of striving for artificial coolness. Lowe echoed this sentiment, emphasizing their perpetual relevance within their own artistic realm.
Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which influenced the album's creation, the duo maintained an optimistic outlook. Tennant noted the positive aspects of the lockdown period, citing it as a time of enhanced creativity and reduced pressure.
Their latest singles, "Loneliness" and "Why Am I Dancing?" tackle themes of social isolation and self-reflection during the pandemic, infused with a sense of positivity and resilience. The band found humor in their domestic activities during lockdown, with Lowe joking about his preference for ready-made pies while Tennant shared his culinary exploits.
A lighthearted anecdote revealed Lowe's attempt to persuade a supermarket to change the spelling of "chicken Kiev" to "chicken Kyiv" in solidarity with Ukraine during the conflict—a request that was eventually granted.
Reflecting on the evolving music industry, the duo expressed mixed feelings about streaming platforms like Spotify, critiquing their recommendation algorithms while acknowledging their utility in discovering new music.
Looking ahead, Pet Shop Boys announced special performances at London's Royal Opera House, though Tennant voiced his disdain for fan selfies during concerts, considering it rude.
Despite advancements in technology, the band remains traditional in their approach to music production, opting out of using artificial intelligence in their creative process. However, they humorously embraced AI-generated descriptions of their album, recognizing the accuracy in the portrayal of their music's emotional depth.
As they gear up for the release of "Nonetheless," Pet Shop Boys continue to embody resilience, creativity, and a distinctive flair that has captivated audiences for four decades.
