Wanderlust (Blancmange album)

Wanderlust
Studio album by Blancmange
Released	19 October 2018 [1]
Length	45:52
Label	Blanc Check Records
Producer	Neil Arthur, Benge
Blancmange chronology
Unfurnished Rooms (2017) Wanderlust (2018) Nil by Mouth 2 (2020)

Wanderlust is the tenth studio album by British synth-pop band Blancmange, released in 2018. It was produced by Neil Arthur and Benge, and reached No. 22 on the UK Independent Albums Chart. ^[2] The single "Not a Priority" features Hannah Peel on backing vocals. ^[3]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Louder Than War	favourable [4]
MusicOMH	[5]
The Spill Magazine	[6]

Upon release, Paul Scott-Bates of Louder Than War wrote: "...if anything, this album is potentially [Neil Arthur's] finest work. It is sparse whilst having depth, it is humorous whilst maintaining seriousness, but most importantly of all, it shows a man on the top of his game." ^[4] Aaron Badgley of The Spill Magazine commented: "Wanderlust is a brilliant album, and it does not sound like any other Blancmange album. Arthur, along with Benge has created a rather dark and at times frightening album. In its darkness, it is quite beautiful." ^[6]

Nick Smith of MusicOMH considered Wanderlust to be a "brilliant album", containing "dark and inspired comment on modern life". He also felt the album was reminiscent of the 2009 album Yeah Ghost by Zero 7. ^[5] Patrick Clarke of The Quietus noted: "Wanderlust may be hit and miss, in terms of seizing its own momentum and blending Arthur's left-field writing with its steely electronica, but it shimmers with personality." ^[7]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Neil Arthur and Benge.

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Distant Storm"	5:31
2.	"In Your Room"	3:53
3.	"I Smashed Your Phone"	4:43
4.	"Gravel Drive Syndrome"	3:55
5.	"Talking to Machines"	5:22
6.	"Not a Priority"	4:30
7.	"TV Debate"	3:44
8.	"Leaves"	4:22
9.	"White Circle, Black Hole"	4:42
10.	"Wanderlust"	5:30

Personnel

• Neil Arthur – vocals, synthesiser, guitar, percussion, producer, mixing, arrangement, design
• Benge – synthesiser, drum machine, producer, mixing, arrangement
• David Rhodes – guitar (track 8)
• Hannah Peel – backing vocals (track 6)
• Shawn Joseph – mastering

Other

• Paul Agar – design

Charts

Chart (2018)	Peak position
UK Independent Albums Chart [2]	22

References

1. "Wanderlust - Blancmange | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. 19 October 2018. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
2. "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50 | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
3. "News | LISTEN: New Blancmange". The Quietus. 18 September 2018. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
4. "Blancmange: Wanderlust - album review". Louder Than War. 12 October 2018. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
5. "Blancmange - Wanderlust | Album Reviews". 19 October 2018.
6. Badgley, Aaron (19 October 2018). "Spill Album Review: Blancmange - Wanderlust". The Spill Magazine. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
7. "Reviews | Blancmange". The Quietus. 30 October 2018. Retrieved 6 November 2018.