The Pet Shop Boys will release Release, their eighth album this spring. The album's first single, "Home and Dry," will be released in the U.K. later this week. The single reflects a more traditional rock & roll sound for PSB's Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe, which is carried over to the ten-song album featuring former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr.

"Home and Dry" will be released in a trio of formats. One CD single will feature the album cut, along with "Sexy Northerner" (described on the band's site as "a hard-edged portrait of regionality and lust") and "Always" (a ballad) as B-sides. A second single will include an ambient mix of the song, as well as two versions of "Break 4 Love," the duo's collaboration with Peter Rauhoffer that climbed to the top of the Dance Singles chart. A DVD release will include the "Home and Dry" video (directed by Wolfgang Tillmans), as well as clips for "Nightlife" and "Break 4 Love."

Last month, the Pet Shop Boys launched a six-date U.K. tour to showcase some of the new material. Release will be the group's first new album since 1999's Nightlife.

ANDREW DANSBY
(March 15, 2002)