dancing in the dark

It's like old home week, kittens. First, Kim Wilde returns. Then, a-ha deliver one last hurrah. And now, OMD are about to reemerge. It's 1985 all over again.

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark are mere weeks away from releasing their first longplayer with the original members in over 20 years. In fact, they're celebrating more than 30 years since their debut single back in 1979.

"If You Want It" is the first single to be plucked from "History Of Modern", the first OMD album in nearly 15 years.

Typically grand and only slightly hinting at the return to electronics they've been touting. It's an epic sounding pop song with requisite church choral backing which sounds more like late period OMD than the Germanic bleeps of their early stuff. In fact, it feels more like "Walking On The Milky Way" from their last album, "Universal". Still, it's great to have them back doing what they do best.

The video for "If You Want It" just premiered today. It's simple and emotive. Even though it's clear they had a limited budget, it still carries a powerful visual. However, it looks like Paul and Andy watched too many episodes of "So You Think You Can Dance".



Sadly, a CD will not feature as one of the single configurations. Instead, a limited edition yellow, vinyl 7" will be released on September 6. Flip it over for "Idea 1", a non-album b-side.

The single will also be available as a download along with "Alone", another non-album b-side. Additionally, it will include a remix of "If You Want It" by Villa Nah.