7.6.12 - New Music - Pet Shop Boys

The Pet Shop Boys are back, and we’re ready for it.

I have a number of things to say about the new single, so sit tight.

The song is a bit…sappy? Like, did you record this just for the end of some inspirational movie? It certainly sounds so. Or maybe you are hoping to cash in on the whole pandemonium (get the reference?) of the Olympics?

I do like that the music is more detailed than before. I always liked the PSH, but felt their sound was a bit outdated. Doesn’t mean it is bad, but you can tell it isn’t current. This new single finds a way to keep their signature style and sound, but modernize things a bit. “Winner”’s production values are great, with layers upon layers giving the song more of an edge.

I am surprised by their choice of producers for this album, and particularly this song. “Winner” is produced by Andrew Dawson, who seems an unlikely choice for the duo. Dawson isn’t much of a producer – more of an engineer – and then, only in hop hop. Dawson has engineered every Kanye West album, Rick Ross, Jay-Z, Common, and so many other hip hop bigwigs. Only in the past two years or so has he tried his hand at producing, but it paid off. His greatest (one of his only actually) productions is Kanye West’s “Power” single off his last ‘My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy’. So, how did he get from there to here?

Anyways, “Winner” is exactly that in my book. Can’t wait for the rest of the album boys.