Nonetheless

Nonetheless marks the fifteenth studio outing for Pet Shop Boys and a significant shift in their sonic trajectory by partnering with producer James Ford (Arctic Monkeys, Depeche Mode). Recorded primarily in Ford’s East London studio, the album moves away from the 'Berlin trilogy' sound produced by Stuart Price, opting for a more expansive, orchestral approach that integrates live instrumentation with their signature electronics. This record also signals a return to Parlophone, their long-time creative home. Lyrically, the album is preoccupied with themes of isolation ('Loneliness'), queer history ('New London Boy'), and the artifice of celebrity ('Dancing Star', 'Bullet for Narcissus'). Critics from Pitchfork and AllMusic noted the album's 'warmth' and 'melodic richness,' praising it as one of their most consistent and emotionally resonant works in decades. It successfully bridges the gap between their 80s imperial phase and a contemporary, mature art-pop sensibility.