And so the leaks begin! The full version of "Together", the new single from Pet Shop Boys from their forthcoming hits collection, "Ultimate", has hit the interwebs.
It's an electro waltz! The chorus is anthemic. The verses are a bit anemic. But that's all on just the first two listens after a very long day.
"Together" is a bit sparse in the arrangement. Nothing grand about it. A simple, straightforward pop song with very few clever bits. However, do believe the bass synth bit around the 1.14 mark reminds me of "Killer" by Seal.
Stacked up against the 18 classics on "Ultimate", "Together" has a lot to live up to. Still, Chris and Neil write perfect tunes for power pop people.
On the surface, the song sounds a bit uplifting. Upon closer inspection of the lyrics, a dark element is revealed. I try not to interpret lyrics. Songs can evolve on their own and mean different things at various times.
However, the cover art for the single, a pair of handcuffs, hints at the clever lyrical turns hidden beneath the clean, electro sheen of the production. Perhaps it has something to do with relationships between political or financial associates who work "together" in order to scale greater heights despite anyone - include each other - that might get in the way of their ambitions. Something sinister this way comes, kittens!
Loving it. At first listen, sounds like Miracles meets For Your Own Good. Would benefit from a Faithless remix. would be massive
ReplyDeleteI disagree, Vinny. I think Together is all around amazing and complements the other tracks on Ultimate quite well, unlike Flamboyant, which felt slightly demo-y and out of place among the other tracks on PopArt. The middle eight (or is that six?) of Together is sublime.
ReplyDelete@Shayne L. - I don't dislike "Together". I just think it might not stand up against all the hits. The chorus is fantastic. I especially like the part where Neil answers himself in falsetto, "Together we'll go all the way."
ReplyDeletevery anti-climatic! Definitely doesn't stand up to their previous album. I don't think that PSB could ever put out a "bad" track but not really diggin' this one.
ReplyDeleteit's a good song but not one of their best. Ergo, i like it well enough :) I got sent their Ultimate album as a promo and it didn't include this track! So disappointing! Clearly they didn't want it out there and now it's leaked anyway! The dvd that came with it though is brillopants.
ReplyDelete@Paul - I saw that you had received the promo of "Ultimate" and thought it was strange that "Together" wasn't included. EMI sent out a three track promo of "Together" around the same time. So THAT wound up on the interwebs. Very odd.
ReplyDeleteYou get bonus points for using a variation of one of my favorite descriptors. I haven't used "brillopads" for ages. You have inspired me to start using it again. Although, "brillpants" is fabulous, as well.
Together sounds like one of those tracks that will sound massive live. It certainly doesn't instantly hit you, but it has a lot going for it. I think it will have the same growing effect that Flamboyant had for me. Flamboyant is now one of those tracks I HAVE to put on PSB playlists.
ReplyDeleteThe version of Flamboyant they played on the Fundy tour is way better than the single edit.
ReplyDelete