The Human League are probably more highly regarded in 2010 than they were in 1981 when they released their landmark album ‘Dare’. They’re used to everyone from Madonna to Moby, Pet Shop Boys to Robbie Williams, citing them as an influence. Now the dubstep generation – notably, the acclaimed Darkstar, who cover the League’s 1982 B-side ‘You Remind Me Of Gold’ on their current album – have begun to pay homage to the original synthphonic sound of Sheffield.
But not surprisingly for a group who were famously described by David Bowie in 1979 as “the sound of the future”, indeed the band themselves were once known as The Future, The Human League have never been about resting on their laurels or relying on past glories to see them through. Which is why, in March 2011, they will be releasing their 10th studio album ‘Credo’, as brilliant a distillation of their ideas about pop and dancing, glamour and electronics, as anything they have ever done.
With their first studio album since 2001’s “Secrets”, the band have signed to the cutting edge record label Wall Of Sound and sticking to their roots they opted for their landmark 10th album to be produced by fellow residents of the Steel City, production duo i-Monster. The much-anticipated “Credo” is named after the Latin word meaning ‘statement of belief’ and is due for release in 2011.
The new wave act, who started their 4 decade career back in 1977, have gained the reputation as one of pops most influential bands. With 9 studio albums, 26 singles (including the phenomenally popular No.1 single “Don’t You Want Me”) and having sold 20 million records worldwide; the band have firmly secured their footing as one of the UKs most successful exports.
Track listing:
1. Never let Me Go
2. Night People
3. Sky
4. Into The Night
5. Egomaniac
6. Single Minded
7. Electric Shock
8. Get Together
9. Privilege
10. Breaking The Chains
11. When The Stars Start To Shine
The Human League are undertaking a 15 date headline tour this autumn. The Night People tour kicks off at Norwich’s UEA, and includes a date at London’s Royal Festival Hall on 10th December.
UK tour dates below:
December
Mon 6 Folkestone, Leas Cliff Hall link 0844 8471776
Tue 7 Liverpool, Philharmonic Hall link 0151 709 3789
Thu 9 Stoke, Victoria link 0844 871 7649
Fri 10 London, Royal Festival Hall link 0844 875 0073
Sat 11 Cambridge, Corn Exchange link 01223 357851
Mon 13 Gateshead, The Sage link 0191 443 4661
Tue 14 Edinburgh, Picture House link 0844 847 1740
Wed 15 Manchester, Academy link 0161 832 1111
Fri 17 Lincoln, The Engine Shed link 0844 888 87 66
Sat 18 Leicester, De Montfort Hall link 0116 233 3111
The Human League’s brand new website is now live where the video for new single Night People is available to view: link