Issue 113

This month's Electronic Sound cover stars are the one and only Pet Shop Boys and we're bundling the issue with a gorgeous gold vinyl seven-inch featuring previously unreleased live versions of three of the duo's best and biggest tracks.

It's 40 years since PSB released the original version of 'West End Girls', but there's no sign of Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe slowing down – as their new album 'Nonetheless' proves. Our interview with the pair is hugely entertaining and highly illuminating, not least because they still get on so well, bickering like a long-married couple, exuding an almost telepathic understanding, and demonstrating amazing comic timing. They talk about 'Nonetheless', of course, but they also discuss their early days, David Bowie, punk rock and ballet legend Rudolf Nureyev, among many other subjects. As our writer Ian Gittins says in the feature, “You just wind them up and watch them go”. 

We have a brilliant supporting cast to PSB too, including Jane Weaver, Barry Adamson, Warrington-Runcorn New Town Development Plan, Eddy Grant, Ride, Richard Norris, Jonny Trunk and Fran & Flora. We also speak to acclaimed journalist and author Simon Reynolds about his latest book, ‘Futuromania: Electronic Dreams, Desiring Machines And Tomorrow’s Music Today’, which explores how electronic music can “stir anticipation for a thrillingly transformed world just around the corner”. And as mission statements go, that’s definitely one we can get on board with. 

We have an extra special release to accompany this issue as well – an exclusive Pet Shop Boys seven-inch on gold vinyl. It features three live tracks recorded last summer at The Royal Arena in Copenhagen during the group's 'Dreamworld: The Greatest Hits Live' world tour. The A-side is a terrific version of the atmospheric 'Love Comes Quickly', while the B-side brings together 'Paninaro' and 'Always On My Mind', resulting in an epic and rapturous rush. A film of the Copenhagen show will be issued on Blu-ray later this year, but all three of these tracks are currently unavailable elsewhere.

As with all our music releases, this record is strictly limited and is only available to readers of Electronic Sound, so make sure you get your copy right away. We're anticipating a high demand for this bundle, so don't delay in making your order!