by Fans of the English synthpop band The Human League who have been waiting for 10 years for something new will be happy to know the group’s new CD, Credo, is set to hit stores next month.
From 1979 through 1983, The Human League gained a fanatical cult following for its groundbreaking forays into dark, atmospheric synthpop. 1979’s album Reproduction is considered by many to be THE quintessential electronica experiment that brought Kraftwerk’s Trans-Europe Express to full fruition.
From the mid-1980’s onward, the group, at this point under the control of lead singer Philip Oakey, moved away from “alternative” avenues to a more commercial, full-band sound. This led to a string of inferior albums (and successful but ‘safe’ hit singles like “Human”).
In 2001, the band returned to its synth roots with Secrets, widely regarded as its best effort since 1981’s Dare (which contained the hit “Don’t You Want Me”).
Taking the sparse hooks of the earliest work, Secrets uses the advantage of modern technology to create a sharper electronica vibe. (I would strongly suggest for fans of the League to grab one of the many used copies of the 2001 CD on Amazon).
The financial collapse of the record label ensured Secrets came and went with hardly a whimper, but The Human League has since remained in the spotlight, touring and dropping hints of a forthcoming CD.
Last November, the wait was over for something new from the group when the single “Night People” was released. Continuing the Secrets trend with an updated version of the band’s original dark sound, the catchy single is a good indication the new album, Credo, will be the CD that fans of Reproduction and Travelogue and have been craving.
Credo is scheduled to be released on March 21.
Click here for the new video, “Night People”
The Human League discography:
Reproduction (1979)
Travelogue (1980)
Dare (1981)
Hysteria (1984)
Crash (1986)
Romantic? (1990)
Octopus (1995)
Secrets (2001)
Credo (2011)
