The return of Soft Cell

It’s been two decades since Soft Cell last released an album, but on Feb. 25, the influential English synth-pop duo unveils sixth studio set *Happiness Not Included. 

Best known in America for the 1980s hit "Tainted Love," Soft Cell has 25 million sales, six UK top 10 singles and a BRIT Award to its credit.

Frontman Marc Almond and producer/instrumentalist Dave Ball have shared the album’s first official single ‘Bruises On My Illusions,’ available now digitally, with CD and 12” vinyl singles available for preorder.

Says Marc Almond, “‘Bruises On My Illusions’ is a mini film noir Soft Cell story about a disillusioned character with everything against him or her who still has hope for a better future, despite the odds. A darker ‘Bedsitter’. Dave’s ominous yet punchy defiant chords inspired the song.”

Dave Ball adds, “One of our darker cinematic pop moments with a classic Marc Almond lyric.”

Bonus tracks on the single’s physical formats include "Bruises On My Illusions" remixes from Dave Ball’s other band The Grid, plus Manhattan Clique, a "Nighthawks" remix courtesy of Throbbing Gristle legends Chris & Cosey, and extended versions of album tracks "*Happiness Not Included" and "Heart Like Chernobyl" plus bonus track Vapourise.

Both *Happiness Not Included and the CD and 12” formats of "Bruises On My Illusions" are available to pre-order here.

The impetus for making a new album started with the “final” reunion show at The O2 in London in 2018. Emerging to a sold-out 20,000 capacity arena, Soft Cell’s planned end became a new start instead.

Soft Cell will be previewing tracks from *Happiness Not Included alongside their greatest hits, as well as performing their seminal 1981 debut album Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret in full for the first time in a series of UK live shows. Remaining tickets are available here.

TOUR DATES 2021:

November 10 - GLASGOW - O2 ACADEMY
November 12 - MANCHESTER - O2 APOLLO
November 13 - LEEDS - O2 ACADEMY
November 15 - LONDON HAMMERSMITH - APOLLO
November 16 - LONDON HAMMERSMITH - APOLLO

*Happiness Not Included track list:

1. Happy Happy

2. Polaroid
3. Bruises On My Illusions
4. Purple Zone
5. Heart Like Chernobyl
6. Light Sleepers
7. Happiness Not Included
8. Nostalgia Machine
9. Nighthawks
10. I'm Not a Friend of God
11. Tranquiliser
12. New Eden

Single track list:

‘Bruises On My Illusions’ (album version)
‘Bruises On My Illusions’ (Manhattan Clique remix)
‘Vapourise’ (Dave Ball extended version)
‘Heart Like Chernobyl’ (Dave Ball extended version)

Bruises On My Illusions 12” vinyl tracklist:

A1: ‘Bruises On My Illusions’ (The Grid remix)
A2: ‘Vapourise’ (Dave Ball remix)
B1: ‘*Happiness Not Included’ (Dave Ball remix)
B2: ‘Nighthawks’ (Chris & Cosey remix)