The Human League - Credo, a review



In over ten years since their last studio album, the music scene has changed considerably in the Human League's favour. With acts such as Pet Shop Boys and New Order rightly seen as the legends that they are, the time is right for The Human League to capitalise on an electronically-motivated industry with the same gusto they managed to innovate 30 years ago.

The second single and first track from the project, 'Never Let Me Go', is an autotuned taster of what's to come - liberally poured synths and trickery that amply picks up where they left off. I personally find the track a little too robotic and soulless to evoke any real pleasant emotions or make me want to dance, but the following 'Night People' more than makes up for it. A moody series of repeated hooks and polished tunes create a kind of ritualistic hymnal quality; a call to arms for the clubbing scene.


There's then wall-to-wall catchy segments and pulsating beeps across 'Sky', 'Into the Night' and 'Egomaniac' - all solid enough album tracks but none providing enough uniquity. However there's a sugary-sweet aspect to 'Single Minded' that ensures it stands out - Oakey's chants seem less forced; Catherall less autotuned - and it's a pretty nifty dance track.

Again there's a slick quality about 'Electric Shock' and unusual lyrics help guide along its surreal atmospherics nicely, quite reminiscent of last year's Scissor Sisters effort with that sense of euphoria in music that only slightly alters every couple of bars. There's then something equally repetitive in 'Get Together', albeit to a much less appealing effect - it quickly grows stale. 'Privilege' is short and snappy, a series of sinister vocals and groaning interspersed between the title repeated robotically.


The album finishes strongly - firstly with 'Breaking the Chains', arguably the biggest throwback to their classic material, sounding like a revamped "Keep Feeling Fascination". The hooks are laid carefully and you're more than likely going to bite. And finally there's 'When The Stars Start to Shine' which resurrects their fast-paced tone ("We see a new horizon" adds to the urgency) and it's easily my favourite from the album.

On the merit of the single I heard first (Never Let Me Go) I was set to worry that they were past-it. But the general majority of Credo proves their credentials - the Human League still have a bit of cool left in them. However don't let this fool you - whilst it's immeasurably better their 90s material, it's by no means a career high and makes 'Dare' look like Revolver. But it's a step back into the good territory.

Rating: 6/10
Highlights:When The Stars Start to Shine, Breaking the Chains, Night People, Single Minded
Avoid: Never Let Me Go, Get Together

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