| Wanderlust | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 19 October 2018 [1] | |||
| Length | 45:52 | |||
| Label | Blanc Check Records | |||
| Producer | Neil Arthur, Benge | |||
| Blancmange chronology | ||||
| ||||
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]
| 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]
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 |
Other
| Chart (2018) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Independent Albums Chart [2] | 22 |
Blancmange are an English synth-pop band formed in Harrow, London, in 1979. The band were a duo for much of their career, composed of Neil Arthur (vocals) and Stephen Luscombe (keyboards). They came to prominence in the early 1980s, releasing four UK top-20 singles: "Living on the Ceiling", "Waves", "Blind Vision" and "Don't Tell Me". They released three studio albums during that decade: Happy Families (1982), Mange Tout (1984) and Believe You Me (1985).
Believe You Me is the third studio album by English synth-pop duo Blancmange, released on 11 October 1985 by London Records. A remastered edition was released by Edsel Records in 2008 which featured the album along with four bonus tracks.
Happy Families is the debut studio album by English synth-pop band Blancmange, released on 24 September 1982 by London Records. It peaked at No. 30 on the UK Albums Chart, aided by the success of the album's third single, "Living on the Ceiling", released the following month, which became Blancmange's breakthrough hit, reaching No. 7 in the UK Singles Chart. A re-recorded version of the album, titled Happy Families Too..., was released in 2013.
Ben Edwards, known professionally as Benge is an English musician and record producer based in Cornwall, England. The main focus of his work is within the experimental electronic music field.
John Foxx and the Maths is a musical project featuring electronic music pioneer John Foxx, Benge and more recently Hannah Peel. The group specialises in the use of analogue synthesizers and drum machines. It was initially a studio based project working from Benge's studio in Shoreditch, London but has also engaged in live work.
"Lose Your Love" is a song by English synth-pop duo Blancmange, released in October 1985 as the second single from their third studio album Believe You Me (1985). It was written by Neil Arthur and Stephen Luscombe, and produced by Stewart Levine. "Lose Your Love" reached No. 77 in the UK, which was the duo's first single to fail to reach the Top 40 since 1982's "Feel Me". In the United States, it was a dance hit, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Dance/Club Play Songs Chart.
The Broken Wave is the debut album by London-based alternative rock/indie folk artist Hannah Peel, released on 31 January 2011.
Unfurnished Rooms is the ninth studio album by English band Blancmange, released in 2017. It was produced by Neil Arthur and Benge, and reached No. 40 on the UK Independent Albums Chart.
A Very Loud Death is a three-piece American rock band formed in 2015, in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. The band consists of founding members Chris Edge, Bryan Peel, and recent member Cole O'Neil Robertson.
"What's Your Problem" is a song by English synth-pop duo Blancmange, released on 27 August 1985 as the lead single from their third studio album Believe You Me (1985). It was written by Neil Arthur and Stephen Luscombe, and produced by Stewart Levine. "What's Your Problem" reached No. 40 in the UK and No. 30 in Ireland. A music video was filmed to promote the single, which received heavy action play on the European music TV channel Music Box.
"Feel Me" is a song by English synth-pop duo Blancmange, released on 23 July 1982 as the second single from their debut studio album Happy Families (1982). It was written by Neil Arthur and Stephen Luscombe, and produced by Mike Howlett. "Feel Me" reached No. 46 in the UK and remained on the charts for five weeks.
"Waves" is a song by English synth-pop duo Blancmange, released on 21 January 1983 as the fourth and final single from their debut studio album Happy Families (1982). Written by Neil Arthur and Stephen Luscombe, and produced by Mike Howlett, "Waves" reached No. 19 in the UK and remained in the charts for nine weeks.
"Don't Tell Me" is a song by English synth-pop duo Blancmange, released in March 1984 as the third single from their second studio album Mange Tout (1984). Written by Neil Arthur and Stephen Luscombe, and produced by Peter Collins, "Don't Tell Me" reached No. 8 in the UK and remained in the charts for ten weeks. A music video was filmed in Valencia to promote the single.
"Blind Vision" is a song by English synth-pop band Blancmange, released in April 1983 as the lead single from their second studio album Mange Tout (1984). Written by Neil Arthur and Stephen Luscombe, and produced by John Luongo, "Blind Vision" reached No. 10 in the UK and remained in the charts for eight weeks. A music video was filmed to promote the single, which received light rotation on MTV.
"That's Love, That It Is" is a song by English synth-pop duo Blancmange, released on 18 November 1983 as the second single from their second studio album Mange Tout (1984). It was written by Neil Arthur and Stephen Luscombe, and produced by John Luongo. "That's Love, That It Is" reached No. 33 in the UK and remained in the charts for eight weeks. In January 1985, the song, paired with "Game Above My Head", reached No. 16 on the US Billboard Hot Dance/Disco chart.
Commuter 23 is the eighth studio album by British Synth-pop band Blancmange, released in 2016. The album reached No. 38 in the UK Independent Albums Chart.
Semi Detached is the sixth studio album by British Synth-pop band Blancmange, released in 2015. The album was the first to be created without the involvement of original member Stephen Luscombe due to his health problems. Neil Arthur commenced writing material for the album in 2013-14, with recording taking place during 2014. The album reached No. 22 in the UK Independent Albums Chart.
Nil by Mouth is the seventh studio album by English band Blancmange, released in 2015. The album is made up of instrumental tracks, including a 2005 re-recording of "Holiday Camp", a Blancmange track from the 1980 EP Irene & Mavis.
Happy Families Too... is the fifth studio album by English band Blancmange. A re-recording of the band's 1982 debut album Happy Families, the album was originally made available at Blancmange concerts in November 2013, before receiving a wider release via Cherry Red in April 2014.
"God's Kitchen" is a song by English synth-pop duo Blancmange, released in March 1982 as a double A-side with "I've Seen the Word". It was the lead single from the duo's debut studio album Happy Families (1982). "God's Kitchen" and "I've Seen the Word" was written by Neil Arthur and Stephen Luscombe, and produced by Mike Howlett. The single reached No. 65 in the UK and remained on the charts for two weeks.