Soft Cell is an English synth-pop duo formed in 1978, composed of vocalist Marc Almond and instrumentalist David Ball. The pair rose to international fame in the early 1980s with their trailblazing synthesis of electronic music and new wave, pioneering a sound that would influence the development of the synth-pop genre. Their most acclaimed hit, "Tainted Love," released in 1981, was a cover of a Northern Soul classic, reimagined with a stark electronic edge that made it a worldwide phenomenon. The song was part of their debut album, "Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret," which is now considered a classic of the era, showcasing a blend of provocative lyrics and innovative synth work.

Throughout their early career, Soft Cell enjoyed a series of hits with tracks like "Bedsitter," "Say Hello, Wave Goodbye," and "Torch," often dealing with themes of sleaze, love, and alienation, wrapped in a magnetic dance-pop package. After their initial dissolve in 1984, Almond and Ball embarked on separate careers with varying degrees of success, with Almond achieving critical acclaim as a solo artist. However, Soft Cell’s cultural and musical impact remained, and they experienced various reunions over the years. The duo's enduring fan base welcomed their return with the 2022 album "Happiness Not Included," their first collection of new material in nearly two decades. Displaying their time-honored electronic style with a contemporary twist, Soft Cell continues to resonate with audiences, adding new chapters to their storied career with fresh releases and remixes like "Purple Zone" and the various remixes of "Nostalgia Machine" and "Frustration."

Genres

New Romantic

New Wave

New Wave Pop

Synthpop

Related Artists

Depeche Mode

New Order

The Human League

Erasure

Yazoo

Ultravox

Gary Numan

Visage

Heaven 17

Alphaville

Tears For Fears

Eurythmics

Latest Release

*Happiness Now Completed

Soft Cell

Album - 13 Tracks - Released August 23, 2024