Jump to content

Hotspot (album): Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
→Background and recording: updated dead links
 
(49 intermediate revisions by 26 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox album
{{Infobox album
| name = Hotspot
| name = Hotspot
| type = studio
| type = studio
| artist = [[Pet Shop Boys]]
| artist = [[Pet Shop Boys]]
| cover = Pet Shop Boys - Hotspot.png
| cover = Pet Shop Boys - Hotspot.png
| alt =
| alt =
| released = {{Start date|2020|01|24|df=yes}}
| released = {{Start date|2020|01|24|df=yes}}
| recorded =
| recorded =
| studio = {{hlist|[[Hansa Tonstudio|Hansa]], Berlin|[[RAK Studios|RAK]], London|[[Record Plant]], Los Angeles}}
| studio =
*[[Hansa Tonstudio|Hansa]] (Berlin)
*[[RAK Studios|RAK]] (London)
*[[Record Plant]] (Los Angeles)
| genre = *[[Synth-pop]]
| genre = [[Electropop]]<ref name="hull"/>
| length = 42:03
*[[dance-pop]]
| length = 42:03
| label = [[x2 (record label)|x2]]
| label = x2
| producer = [[Stuart Price]]
| producer = [[Stuart Price]]
| prev_title = [[Inner Sanctum (album)|Inner Sanctum]]
| prev_year = 2019
| prev_title = [[Inner Sanctum (album)|Inner Sanctum]]
| next_title = [[Discovery: Live in Rio 1994]]
| prev_year = 2019
| next_year = 2021
| next_title =
| misc = {{Singles
| next_year =
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Hotspot
| name = Hotspot
| type = studio
| type = studio
| single1 = [[Dreamland (Pet Shop Boys song)|Dreamland]]
| single1 = [[Dreamland (Pet Shop Boys song)|Dreamland]]
| single1date = 11 September 2019
| single1date = 25 October 2019
| single2 = Burning the Heather
| single2 = Burning the Heather
| single2date = 14 November 2019
| single2date = 13 December 2019
| single3 = Monkey Business
| single3 = Monkey Business
| single3date = 2 January 2020
| single3date = 7 February 2020
| single4 = I don't wanna
| single4 = I Don't Wanna
| single4date = 24 April 2020
| single4date = 24 April 2020
}}
}}
}}
}}
'''''Hotspot''''' is the fourteenth studio album by English [[synth-pop]] duo [[Pet Shop Boys]], released on 24 January 2020 by the band's own label x2, through [[Kobalt Label Services]].<ref name="RS">{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/pet-shop-boys-new-album-hotspot-912255/|title=Pet Shop Boys Preview New Album 'Hotspot' With 'Burning the Heather'|work=[[Rolling Stone]]|last=Zemler|first=Emily|date=14 November 2019|accessdate=15 November 2019}}</ref> It is supported by the singles "[[Dreamland (Pet Shop Boys song)|Dreamland]]" featuring [[Years & Years]], which was released on 11 September 2019, and "Burning the Heather", which was released alongside the album announcement on 14 November 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/pet-shop-boys-announce-new-album-hotspot-share-new-song-listen/|title=Pet Shop Boys Announce New Album ''Hotspot'', Share New Song: Listen|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|last=Monroe|first=Jazz|date=14 November 2019|accessdate=15 November 2019}}</ref> The duo will tour the UK and Europe in support of the album in mid-2020.<ref name="RS"/> The album charted in numerous countries and reached No. 3 of the album charts in the United Kingdom, Germany and Spain.
'''''Hotspot''''' is the fourteenth studio album by English [[synth-pop]] duo [[Pet Shop Boys]], released on 24 January 2020 by the band's own label [[x2 (record label)|x2]], through [[Kobalt Label Services]].<ref name="RS">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/pet-shop-boys-new-album-hotspot-912255/|title=Pet Shop Boys Preview New Album ''Hotspot'' With 'Burning the Heather'|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|last=Zemler|first=Emily|date=14 November 2019|access-date=15 November 2019}}</ref> It was supported by the singles "[[Dreamland (Pet Shop Boys song)|Dreamland]]" featuring [[Years & Years]], which was released on 25 October 2019, and "Burning the Heather", which was released alongside the album announcement on 13 December 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/pet-shop-boys-announce-new-album-hotspot-share-new-song-listen/|title=Pet Shop Boys Announce New Album ''Hotspot'', Share New Song: Listen|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|last=Monroe|first=Jazz|date=14 November 2019|access-date=15 November 2019}}</ref> The duo planned a tour of the UK and Europe in support of the album in mid-2020,<ref name="RS"/> but it was postponed due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/check-out-pet-shop-boys-rescheduled-2022-greatest-hits-tour-dates-2871510|title=Check out Pet Shop Boys’ rescheduled 2022 Greatest Hits tour dates|magazine=[[NME]]|last=Richards|first=Will|date=3 February 2021|access-date=27 September 2024}}</ref> The album charted in numerous countries, reaching number three on the album charts in the United Kingdom, Germany and Spain.


==Background and recording==
==Background and recording==
The album was primarily recorded at [[Hansa Studios]] in [[Berlin]] where the duo have written "most of [their] music over the last ten years",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/pet-shop-boys-announce-new-album-hotspot-2567837|title=Pet Shop Boys announce new album 'Hotspot'|work=[[NME]]|last=Reilly|first=Nick|date=14 November 2019|accessdate=15 November 2019}}</ref> with the exception of "Burning the Heather", which was recorded at [[RAK Studios]] in [[London]], where [[Bernard Butler]] contributed guitar to the track. The duo's website dubbed it the last of a trilogy of albums produced by [[Stuart Price]], beginning with ''[[Electric (Pet Shop Boys album)|Electric]]'' in 2013. All tracks were written by [[Neil Tennant|Tennant]] and [[Chris Lowe|Lowe]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.petshopboys.co.uk/index.php?path=news/2019-11-14/new-album-hotspot|title=New album "Hotspot"|website=petshopboys.co.uk|date=14 November 2019|accessdate=15 November 2019}}</ref>
The album was primarily recorded at [[Hansa Studios]] in [[Berlin]] where the duo have written "most of [their] music over the last ten years",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/pet-shop-boys-announce-new-album-hotspot-2567837|title=Pet Shop Boys announce new album 'Hotspot'|work=[[NME]]|last=Reilly|first=Nick|date=14 November 2019|access-date=15 November 2019}}</ref> with the exception of "Burning the Heather", which was recorded at [[RAK Studios]] in [[London]]. [[Bernard Butler]] played guitar on the track.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.petshopboys.co.uk/product/single/burning-the-heather-radio-edit |title=Burning the heather (radio edit) |website=petshopboys.co.uk |date=14 November 2019 |access-date=19 November 2024}}</ref> The duo's website dubbed it the last of a trilogy of albums produced by [[Stuart Price]], beginning with ''[[Electric (Pet Shop Boys album)|Electric]]'' in 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.petshopboys.co.uk/history/2020#01 |title=History: January 2020 |website=petshopboys.co.uk |date=24 January 2020 |access-date=19 November 2024}}</ref>


==Critical reception==
==Critical reception==
{{Album ratings
{{Music ratings
| MC = 75/100<ref name="Metacritic">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/hotspot/pet-shop-boys/critic-reviews|title=Hotspot by Pet Shop Boys Reviews|website=[[Metacritic]]|accessdate=24 January 2020}}</ref>
| MC = 75/100<ref name="Metacritic">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/hotspot/pet-shop-boys/critic-reviews|title=''Hotspot'' by Pet Shop Boys Reviews|website=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=24 January 2020}}</ref>
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/hotspot-mw0003336987|title=Hotspot – Pet Shop Boys|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|last=Monger|first=Timothy|accessdate=27 January 2020}}</ref>
| rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/hotspot-mw0003336987|title=''Hotspot'' – Pet Shop Boys|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|last=Monger|first=Timothy|access-date=27 January 2020}}</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[Clash (magazine)|Clash]]''
| rev2 = ''[[And It Don't Stop]]''
| rev2score = 8/10<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/pet-shop-boys-hotspot|title=Pet Shop Boys – Hotspot|work=[[Clash (magazine)|Clash]]|last=Young|first=Martin|date=24 January 2020|accessdate=24 January 2020}}</ref>
| rev2score = {{Rating-Christgau|hm3}}<ref name="xgau">{{cite web|url=https://robertchristgau.substack.com/p/consumer-guide-march-2020|title=Consumer Guide: March, 2020|work=And It Don't Stop|publisher=[[Substack]]|last=Christgau|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Christgau|date=11 March 2020|access-date=16 July 2020}}</ref>
| rev3 = ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]''
| rev3 = ''[[Clash (magazine)|Clash]]''
| rev3score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/pet-shop-boys-hotspot-review-irresistible-dancefloor-belters/|title=Pet Shop Boys, Hotspot, review: irresistible dancefloor belters|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|last=McCormick|first=Neil|date=23 January 2020|accessdate=27 January 2020}}</ref>
| rev3score = 8/10<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/pet-shop-boys-hotspot|title=Pet Shop Boys – ''Hotspot''|magazine=[[Clash (magazine)|Clash]]|last=Young|first=Martin|date=24 January 2020|access-date=24 January 2020}}</ref>
| rev4 = ''[[The Independent]]''
| rev4 = ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]''
| rev4score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/pet-shop-boys-review-hotspot-album-tracklist-neil-tennant-gengahr-sanctuary-a9298181.html|title=Album reviews: Pet Shop Boys – ‘Hotspot’, and Gengahr – ‘Sanctuary’|work=[[The Independent]]|last=O'Connor|first=Roisin|date=24 January 2020|accessdate=27 January 2020}}</ref>
| rev4score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/pet-shop-boys-hotspot-review-irresistible-dancefloor-belters/|title=Pet Shop Boys, ''Hotspot'', review: irresistible dancefloor belters|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|last=McCormick|first=Neil|date=23 January 2020|access-date=27 January 2020}}</ref>
| rev5 = ''[[NME]]''
| rev5 = ''[[The Independent]]''
| rev5score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/pet-shop-boys-hotspot-review-2599853|title=Pet Shop Boys – 'Hotspot' review: astutely observed social commentary in the form of absolute mega bangers
| rev5score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/pet-shop-boys-review-hotspot-album-tracklist-neil-tennant-gengahr-sanctuary-a9298181.html|title=Album reviews: Pet Shop Boys – ''Hotspot'', and Gengahr – ''Sanctuary''|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|last=O'Connor|first=Roisin|date=24 January 2020|access-date=27 January 2020}}</ref>
| rev6 = ''[[NME]]''
|work=[[NME]]|last=Ryan|first=Gary|date=24 January 2020|accessdate=27 January 2020}}</ref>
| rev6score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/pet-shop-boys-hotspot-review-2599853|title=Pet Shop Boys – ''Hotspot'' review: astutely observed social commentary in the form of absolute mega bangers
| rev6 = ''[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]''
| rev6score = 6.8/10<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2020/01/pet-shop-boys-hotspot-review.html|title=Pet Shop Boys Hit Career Highs and Lows on Hotspot|work=[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]|last=Ham|first=Robert|date=23 January 2020|accessdate=24 January 2020}}</ref>
|work=[[NME]]|last=Ryan|first=Gary|date=24 January 2020|access-date=27 January 2020}}</ref>
| rev7 = ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]''
| rev7 = ''[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]''
| rev7score = 6.1/10<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/pet-shop-boys-hotspot/|title=Pet Shop Boys: Hotspot Album Review|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|last=Soto|first=Alfred|date=30 January 2020|accessdate=31 January 2020}}</ref>
| rev7score = 6.8/10<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2020/01/pet-shop-boys-hotspot-review.html|title=Pet Shop Boys Hit Career Highs and Lows on ''Hotspot''|magazine=[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]|last=Ham|first=Robert|date=23 January 2020|access-date=24 January 2020|archive-date=28 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128180049/https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2020/01/pet-shop-boys-hotspot-review.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| rev8 = ''[[The Quietus]]''
| rev8 = ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]''
| rev8score = 3/5<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thequietus.com/articles/27707-pet-shop-boys-hotspot-review|title=One More Time Without Feeling: The Pet Shop Boys' Hotspot|work=[[The Quietus]]|last=Choate|first=Canada|date=23 January 2020|access-date=24 January 2020}}</ref>
| rev8score = 6.1/10<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/pet-shop-boys-hotspot/|title=Pet Shop Boys: ''Hotspot'' Album Review|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|last=Soto|first=Alfred|date=30 January 2020|access-date=31 January 2020}}</ref>
| rev9 = ''[[The Quietus]]''
| rev9score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thequietus.com/articles/27707-pet-shop-boys-hotspot-review|title=One More Time Without Feeling: The Pet Shop Boys' ''Hotspot''|work=[[The Quietus]]|last=Choate|first=Canada|date=23 January 2020|access-date=11 February 2024}}</ref>
| rev10 = ''[[Tom Hull (critic)|Tom Hull – on the Web]]''
| rev10score = {{Rating-Christgau|hm3}}<ref name="hull">{{cite web|url=http://tomhull.com/ocston/nm/m2020.php?min=2|title=Music Tracking 2020|website=Tom Hull – on the Web|last=Hull|first=Tom|author-link=Tom Hull (critic)|date=n.d.|access-date=16 July 2020}}</ref>
}}
}}
''Hotspot'' received generally positive reviews from music critics.<ref name="Metacritic"/> At [[Metacritic]], which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has an average score of 75 out of 100, which indicates "generally favorable reviews" based on 18 reviews.
''Hotspot'' was met with generally positive reviews. At [[Metacritic]], which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has an average score of 75 out of 100, based on 18 reviews.<ref name="Metacritic"/>

In his [[Substack]]-published "Consumer Guide" column, [[Robert Christgau]] highlighted "I Don't Wanna", "Wedding in Berlin", and "Will-o-the-Wisp", and wrote in summary of the album: "'Happy people/Living in a sad world,' they celebrate their good fortune by setting it to music both stirring and contained – music that never conceals its limitations".<ref name="xgau"/>


==Track listing==
==Track listing==
{{Track listing
{{Track listing
| headline = Standard edition
| all_writing = [[Neil Tennant]] and [[Chris Lowe]] aside from "Dreamland" which was written by Tennant, Lowe and [[Olly Alexander]] and "Monkey Business" which was written by Tennant, Lowe and [[Stuart Price]]
| all_writing = [[Neil Tennant]] and [[Chris Lowe]] aside from "Dreamland" which was written by Tennant, Lowe and [[Olly Alexander]] and "Monkey Business" which was written by Tennant, Lowe and [[Stuart Price]]
| title1 = Will-o-the-wisp
| title1 = Will-o-the-Wisp
| length1 = 4:27
| length1 = 4:28
| title2 = You are the one
| title2 = You Are the One
| length2 = 3:35
| length2 = 3:35
| title3 = Happy people
| title3 = Happy People
| length3 = 3:51
| length3 = 3:51
| title4 = [[Dreamland (Pet Shop Boys song)|Dreamland]]
| title4 = [[Dreamland (Pet Shop Boys song)|Dreamland]]
| note4 = featuring [[Years & Years]]
| note4 = featuring [[Years & Years]]
| length4 = 3:28
| length4 = 3:26
| title5 = Hoping for a miracle
| title5 = Hoping for a Miracle
| length5 = 5:00
| length5 = 5:00
| title6 = I don't wanna
| title6 = I Don't Wanna
| length6 = 4:02
| length6 = 4:02
| title7 = Monkey business
| title7 = Monkey Business
| length7 = 4:08
| length7 = 4:08
| title8 = Only the dark
| title8 = Only the Dark
| length8 = 3:38
| length8 = 3:38
| title9 = Burning the heather
| title9 = Burning the Heather
| length9 = 5:27
| length9 = 5:27
| title10 = Wedding in Berlin
| title10 = Wedding in Berlin
| length10 = 4:27
| length10 = 4:42
| total_length = 42:03
| total_length = 42:16
}}

{{Track listing
| headline = Japan bonus tracks<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sonymusic.co.jp/artist/petshopboys/discography/SICX-148|title=「ホットスポット」- ペット・ショップ・ボーイズ|publisher=Sony Music Japan|access-date=5 September 2020}}</ref>
| total_length = 56:13

| title11 = Dreamland
| note11 = TWD vocal remix
| length11 = 5:06
| title12 = Monkey Business
| note12 = [[Prins Thomas]] Diskomiks
| length12 = 8:45
}}

{{Track listing
| headline = Special edition disc 2
| title1 = Will-o-the-Wisp
| note1 = instrumental
| length1 = 4:28
| title2 = You Are the One
| note2 = instrumental
| length2 = 3:35
| title3 = Happy People
| note3 = instrumental
| length3 = 3:51
| title4 = [[Dreamland (Pet Shop Boys song)|Dreamland]]
| note4 = featuring [[Years & Years]]) (instrumental
| length4 = 3:26
| title5 = Hoping for a Miracle
| note5 = instrumental
| length5 = 5:00
| title6 = I Don't Wanna
| note6 = instrumental
| length6 = 4:02
| title7 = Monkey Business
| note7 = instrumental
| length7 = 4:08
| title8 = Only the Dark
| note8 = instrumental
| length8 = 3:38
| title9 = Burning the Heather
| note9 = instrumental
| length9 = 5:27
| title10 = Wedding in Berlin
| note10 = instrumental
| length10 = 4:42
| total_length = 42:16
}}
}}


==Personnel==
==Personnel==
* [[Pet Shop Boys]] – performers and programming
*[[Pet Shop Boys]] – performers, programming

* [[Stuart Price]] – production, mixing, bass guitar and additional programming
'''Additional musicians'''
* [[Bernard Butler]] – guitar on "Burning the Heather"
*[[Years & Years]] – featured artist ("Dreamland")
* Keely Hawkes – additional vocals on "Monkey Business"
*[[Stuart Price]] – bass guitar, additional programming
* Pete Gleadall - Additional Engineering
*[[Bernard Butler]] – guitar ("Burning the Heather")
*Keely Hawkes – additional vocals ("Monkey Business")

'''Technical'''
*Stuart Price – production, mixing
*Pete Gleadall – additional engineering
*Nanni Johansson – engineer (Hansa)
*Max Wittig – assistant engineer (Hansa)
*Frida Claeson Johansson – assistant engineer (Hansa)
*Andrew Keller – assistant engineer (Record Plant)
*Isabel Gracefield – engineer (RAK)
*Dan Ewins – assistant engineer (RAK)
*Tim Young – mastering
*[[Mark Farrow|Farrow]] – design, art direction
*Pet Shop Boys – design, art direction, photography


==Charts==
==Charts==
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Chart performance for ''Hotspot''
|-
! scope="col"| Chart (2020)
! scope="col"| Chart (2020)
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position
|-
|-
{{album chart|Australia|8|artist=Pet Shop Boys|album=Hotspot|rowheader=true|access-date=1 February 2020}}
! scope="row"| Australian Albums ([[ARIA Charts|ARIA]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ariacharts.com.au/charts/albums-chart|title=ARIA Australian Top 50 Albums|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association]]|date=3 February 2020|accessdate=1 February 2020}}</ref>
| 8
|-
|-
{{album chart|Austria|7|artist=Pet Shop Boys|album=Hotspot|rowheader=true|accessdate=7 February 2020}}
{{album chart|Austria|7|artist=Pet Shop Boys|album=Hotspot|rowheader=true|access-date=7 February 2020}}
|-
|-
{{album chart|Flanders|21|artist=Pet Shop Boys|album=Hotspot|rowheader=true|accessdate=1 February 2020}}
{{album chart|Flanders|21|artist=Pet Shop Boys|album=Hotspot|rowheader=true|access-date=1 February 2020}}
|-
|-
{{album chart|Wallonia|5|artist=Pet Shop Boys|album=Hotspot|rowheader=true|accessdate=1 February 2020}}
{{album chart|Wallonia|5|artist=Pet Shop Boys|album=Hotspot|rowheader=true|access-date=1 February 2020}}
|-
|-
{{album chart|BillboardCanada|61|artist=Pet Shop Boys|rowheader=true|accessdate=4 February 2020}}
{{album chart|BillboardCanada|61|artist=Pet Shop Boys|rowheader=true|access-date=4 February 2020}}
|-
|-
{{album chart|Czech|30|date=202005|rowheader=true|accessdate=4 February 2020}}
{{album chart|Czech|30|date=202005|rowheader=true|access-date=4 February 2020}}
|-
|-
{{album chart|Netherlands|30|artist=Pet Shop Boys|album=Hotspot|rowheader=true|accessdate=1 February 2020}}
{{album chart|Netherlands|30|artist=Pet Shop Boys|album=Hotspot|rowheader=true|access-date=1 February 2020}}
|-
|-
{{album chart|Finland|23|artist=Pet Shop Boys|album=Hotspot|rowheader=true|accessdate=2 February 2020}}
{{album chart|Finland|23|artist=Pet Shop Boys|album=Hotspot|rowheader=true|access-date=2 February 2020}}
|-
|-
{{album chart|France|72|artist=Pet Shop Boys|album=Hotspot|rowheader=true|access-date=4 February 2020}}
! scope="row"| French Albums ([[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique|SNEP]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-la-semaine/top-albums/?semaine=5?&annee=2020&categorie=Top%20Albums|title=Top Albums (Week 5, 2020)|publisher=Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique|language=French|accessdate=4 February 2020}}</ref>
| 72
|-
|-
{{album chart|Germany4|3|id=399393|artist=Pet Shop Boys|album=Hotspot|rowheader=true|accessdate=31 January 2020}}
{{album chart|Germany4|3|id=399393|artist=Pet Shop Boys|album=Hotspot|rowheader=true|access-date=31 January 2020}}
|-
|-
{{album chart|Hungary|35|year=2020|week=7|artist=Pet Shop Boys|album=Hotspot|rowheader=true|accessdate=22 February 2020}}
{{album chart|Hungary|35|year=2020|week=7|artist=Pet Shop Boys|album=Hotspot|rowheader=true|access-date=22 February 2020}}
|-
|-
{{album chart|Ireland3|20|date=20200131|rowheader=true|accessdate=1 February 2020}}
{{album chart|Ireland3|20|date=20200131|rowheader=true|access-date=1 February 2020}}
|-
|-
{{album chart|Italy|44|artist=Pet Shop Boys|album=Hotspot|rowheader=true|access-date=1 February 2020}}
! scope="row"| Italian Albums ([[Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana|FIMI]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fimi.it/top-of-the-music/classifiche.kl#/charts/1/2020/5|title=Album – Classifica settimanale WK 5 (dal 24.1.2020 al 30.1.2020)|publisher=[[Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana]]|language=Italian|accessdate=1 February 2020}}</ref>
| 44
|-
|-
{{album chart|Oricon|52|M|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/152447/|title=ペット・ショップ・ボーイズ|publisher=[[Oricon]]|rowheader=true|accessdate=29 January 2020}}
{{album chart|Oricon|52|M|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/152447/|title=ペット・ショップ・ボーイズ|publisher=[[Oricon]]|rowheader=true|access-date=29 January 2020}}
|-
|-
{{album chart|Norway|39|M|url=http://www.vglista.no/topplister/topp-40-album-2020-05/|title=VG-lista – Topp 40 Album uke 5, 2020|publisher=[[VG-lista]]|artist=Pet Shop Boys|album=Hotspot|rowheader=true|accessdate=1 February 2020}}
{{album chart|Norway|39|artist=Pet Shop Boys|album=Hotspot|rowheader=true|access-date=1 February 2020}}
|-
|-
{{album chart|Poland|31|id=1269|rowheader=true|accessdate=6 February 2020}}
{{album chart|Poland|31|id=1269|rowheader=true|access-date=6 February 2020}}
|-
|-
{{album chart|Scotland|3|date=20200131|rowheader=true|accessdate=1 February 2020}}
{{album chart|Scotland|3|date=20200131|rowheader=true|access-date=1 February 2020}}
|-
|-
{{album chart|Spain|3|artist=Pet Shop Boys|album=Hotspot|rowheader=true|access-date=5 February 2020}}
! scope="row"| Spanish Albums ([[Productores de Música de España|PROMUSICAE]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.promusicae.es/listas/semana/4297-%C3%81lbumes-semana-5-2020|title=Top 100 Albumes – Semana 5: del 24.1.2020 al 30.1.2020|publisher=[[Productores de Música de España]]|language=Spanish|accessdate=5 February 2020}}</ref>
| 3
|-
|-
{{album chart|Sweden|15|artist=Pet Shop Boys|album=Hotspot|rowheader=true|accessdate=1 February 2020}}
{{album chart|Sweden|15|artist=Pet Shop Boys|album=Hotspot|rowheader=true|access-date=1 February 2020}}
|-
|-
{{album chart|Switzerland|6|artist=Pet Shop Boys|album=Hotspot|rowheader=true|accessdate=7 February 2020}}
{{album chart|Switzerland|6|artist=Pet Shop Boys|album=Hotspot|rowheader=true|access-date=7 February 2020}}
|-
|-
{{album chart|UK2|3|date=20200131|rowheader=true|accessdate=1 February 2020}}
{{album chart|UK2|3|date=20200131|rowheader=true|access-date=1 February 2020}}
|-
|-
{{album chart|Billboard200|100|artist=Pet Shop Boys|rowheader=true|accessdate=4 February 2020}}
{{album chart|Billboard200|100|artist=Pet Shop Boys|rowheader=true|access-date=4 February 2020}}
|-
|-
{{album chart|BillboardDanceElectronic|1|artist=Pet Shop Boys|rowheader=true|accessdate=4 February 2020}}
{{album chart|BillboardDanceElectronic|1|artist=Pet Shop Boys|rowheader=true|access-date=4 February 2020}}
|}
|}


Line 153: Line 221:


{{Pet Shop Boys}}
{{Pet Shop Boys}}

{{Authority control}}


[[Category:2020 albums]]
[[Category:2020 albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Stuart Price]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Stuart Price]]
[[Category:Pet Shop Boys albums]]
[[Category:Pet Shop Boys albums]]
[[Category:X2 (record label) albums]]

{{2020s-album-stub}}

Latest revision as of 03:45, 20 November 2024

Hotspot
Studio album by
Pet Shop Boys
Released24 January 2020 (2020-01-24)
Studio
GenreElectropop[1]
Length42:03
Labelx2
ProducerStuart Price
Pet Shop Boys chronology
Inner Sanctum
(2019) 		Hotspot
(2020) 		Discovery: Live in Rio 1994
(2021)
Singles from Hotspot
  1. "Dreamland"
    Released: 25 October 2019
  2. "Burning the Heather"
    Released: 13 December 2019
  3. "Monkey Business"
    Released: 7 February 2020
  4. "I Don't Wanna"
    Released: 24 April 2020

Hotspot is the fourteenth studio album by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys, released on 24 January 2020 by the band's own label x2, through Kobalt Label Services.[2] It was supported by the singles "Dreamland" featuring Years & Years, which was released on 25 October 2019, and "Burning the Heather", which was released alongside the album announcement on 13 December 2019.[3] The duo planned a tour of the UK and Europe in support of the album in mid-2020,[2] but it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[4] The album charted in numerous countries, reaching number three on the album charts in the United Kingdom, Germany and Spain.

Background and recording

[edit]

The album was primarily recorded at Hansa Studios in Berlin where the duo have written "most of [their] music over the last ten years",[5] with the exception of "Burning the Heather", which was recorded at RAK Studios in London. Bernard Butler played guitar on the track.[6] The duo's website dubbed it the last of a trilogy of albums produced by Stuart Price, beginning with Electric in 2013.[7]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic75/100[8]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[9]
And It Don't Stop(3-star Honorable Mention)(3-star Honorable Mention)(3-star Honorable Mention)[10]
Clash8/10[11]
The Daily Telegraph[12]
The Independent[13]
NME[14]
Paste6.8/10[15]
Pitchfork6.1/10[16]
The Quietus[17]
Tom Hull – on the Web(3-star Honorable Mention)(3-star Honorable Mention)(3-star Honorable Mention)[1]

Hotspot was met with generally positive reviews. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has an average score of 75 out of 100, based on 18 reviews.[8]

In his Substack-published "Consumer Guide" column, Robert Christgau highlighted "I Don't Wanna", "Wedding in Berlin", and "Will-o-the-Wisp", and wrote in summary of the album: "'Happy people/Living in a sad world,' they celebrate their good fortune by setting it to music both stirring and contained – music that never conceals its limitations".[10]

Track listing

[edit]

All tracks are written by Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe aside from "Dreamland" which was written by Tennant, Lowe and Olly Alexander and "Monkey Business" which was written by Tennant, Lowe and Stuart Price

Standard edition
No.TitleLength
1."Will-o-the-Wisp"4:28
2."You Are the One"3:35
3."Happy People"3:51
4."Dreamland" (featuring Years & Years)3:26
5."Hoping for a Miracle"5:00
6."I Don't Wanna"4:02
7."Monkey Business"4:08
8."Only the Dark"3:38
9."Burning the Heather"5:27
10."Wedding in Berlin"4:42
Total length:42:16
Japan bonus tracks[18]
No.TitleLength
11."Dreamland" (TWD vocal remix)5:06
12."Monkey Business" (Prins Thomas Diskomiks)8:45
Total length:56:13
Special edition disc 2
No.TitleLength
1."Will-o-the-Wisp" (instrumental)4:28
2."You Are the One" (instrumental)3:35
3."Happy People" (instrumental)3:51
4."Dreamland" (featuring Years & Years) (instrumental)3:26
5."Hoping for a Miracle" (instrumental)5:00
6."I Don't Wanna" (instrumental)4:02
7."Monkey Business" (instrumental)4:08
8."Only the Dark" (instrumental)3:38
9."Burning the Heather" (instrumental)5:27
10."Wedding in Berlin" (instrumental)4:42
Total length:42:16

Personnel

[edit]

Additional musicians

  • Years & Years – featured artist ("Dreamland")
  • Stuart Price – bass guitar, additional programming
  • Bernard Butler – guitar ("Burning the Heather")
  • Keely Hawkes – additional vocals ("Monkey Business")

Technical

  • Stuart Price – production, mixing
  • Pete Gleadall – additional engineering
  • Nanni Johansson – engineer (Hansa)
  • Max Wittig – assistant engineer (Hansa)
  • Frida Claeson Johansson – assistant engineer (Hansa)
  • Andrew Keller – assistant engineer (Record Plant)
  • Isabel Gracefield – engineer (RAK)
  • Dan Ewins – assistant engineer (RAK)
  • Tim Young – mastering
  • Farrow – design, art direction
  • Pet Shop Boys – design, art direction, photography

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for Hotspot
Chart (2020) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[19] 8
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[20] 7
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[21] 21
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[22] 5
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[23] 61
Czech Albums (ČNS IFPI)[24] 30
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[25] 30
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[26] 23
French Albums (SNEP)[27] 72
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[28] 3
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)[29] 35
Irish Albums (OCC)[30] 20
Italian Albums (FIMI)[31] 44
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[32] 52
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[33] 39
Polish Albums (ZPAV)[34] 31
Scottish Albums (OCC)[35] 3
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)[36] 3
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[37] 15
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[38] 6
UK Albums (OCC)[39] 3
US Billboard 200[40] 100
US Top Dance/Electronic Albums (Billboard)[41] 1

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Hull, Tom (n.d.). "Music Tracking 2020". Tom Hull – on the Web. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  2. ^ a b Zemler, Emily (14 November 2019). "Pet Shop Boys Preview New Album Hotspot With 'Burning the Heather'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  3. ^ Monroe, Jazz (14 November 2019). "Pet Shop Boys Announce New Album Hotspot, Share New Song: Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  4. ^ Richards, Will (3 February 2021). "Check out Pet Shop Boys' rescheduled 2022 Greatest Hits tour dates". NME. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  5. ^ Reilly, Nick (14 November 2019). "Pet Shop Boys announce new album 'Hotspot'". NME. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  6. ^ "Burning the heather (radio edit)". petshopboys.co.uk. 14 November 2019. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
  7. ^ "History: January 2020". petshopboys.co.uk. 24 January 2020. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
  8. ^ a b "Hotspot by Pet Shop Boys Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
  9. ^ Monger, Timothy. "Hotspot – Pet Shop Boys". AllMusic. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  10. ^ a b Christgau, Robert (11 March 2020). "Consumer Guide: March, 2020". And It Don't Stop. Substack. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  11. ^ Young, Martin (24 January 2020). "Pet Shop Boys – Hotspot". Clash. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
  12. ^ McCormick, Neil (23 January 2020). "Pet Shop Boys, Hotspot, review: irresistible dancefloor belters". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  13. ^ O'Connor, Roisin (24 January 2020). "Album reviews: Pet Shop Boys – Hotspot, and Gengahr – Sanctuary". The Independent. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  14. ^ Ryan, Gary (24 January 2020). "Pet Shop Boys – Hotspot review: astutely observed social commentary in the form of absolute mega bangers". NME. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  15. ^ Ham, Robert (23 January 2020). "Pet Shop Boys Hit Career Highs and Lows on Hotspot". Paste. Archived from the original on 28 January 2020. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
  16. ^ Soto, Alfred (30 January 2020). "Pet Shop Boys: Hotspot Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  17. ^ Choate, Canada (23 January 2020). "One More Time Without Feeling: The Pet Shop Boys' Hotspot". The Quietus. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  18. ^ "「ホットスポット」- ペット・ショップ・ボーイズ". Sony Music Japan. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  19. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Pet Shop Boys – Hotspot". Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  20. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Pet Shop Boys – Hotspot" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  21. ^ "Ultratop.be – Pet Shop Boys – Hotspot" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  22. ^ "Ultratop.be – Pet Shop Boys – Hotspot" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  23. ^ "Pet Shop Boys Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
  24. ^ "Czech Albums – Top 100". ČNS IFPI. Note: On the chart page, select 05.Týden 2020 on the field besides the words "CZ – ALBUMS – TOP 100" to retrieve the correct chart. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
  25. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Pet Shop Boys – Hotspot" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  26. ^ "Pet Shop Boys: Hotspot" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  27. ^ "Lescharts.com – Pet Shop Boys – Hotspot". Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
  28. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Pet Shop Boys – Hotspot" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  29. ^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2020. 7. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  30. ^ "Official Irish Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  31. ^ "Italiancharts.com – Pet Shop Boys – Hotspot". Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  32. ^ "ペット・ショップ・ボーイズ". Oricon. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  33. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Pet Shop Boys – Hotspot". Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  34. ^ "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  35. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  36. ^ "Spanishcharts.com – Pet Shop Boys – Hotspot". Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  37. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Pet Shop Boys – Hotspot". Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  38. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Pet Shop Boys – Hotspot". Hung Medien. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  39. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  40. ^ "Pet Shop Boys Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
  41. ^ "Pet Shop Boys Chart History (Top Dance/Electronic Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Hotspot_(album)&oldid=1258509921"