Soft Cell’s new single ‘Nostalgia Machine’ is here with Manhattan Clique Remixes

Sunday 19th June 2022

Release date: Out now Label: BMG

Soft Cell’s return with ‘*Happiness Not Included’ has proven to be well worth the 20+ year wait, as the album received a deluge of critical acclaim as it raced into the Top 10 - making it their highest charting studio set in almost 30 years.  

Their collaboration single with Pet Shop Boys, ‘Purple Zone’ captured the attention of synth-pop devotees everywhere as it united two of the genre’s most influential duos. It quickly became Soft Cell’s biggest airplay hit in years, as it was named Record of the Week and then A-listed at Radio 2, as well as reaching Number 1 in the UK Physical Singles Chart. 

Soft Cell’s new single ‘Nostalgia Machine’ is one of the most immediate moments on ‘*Happiness Not Included’. A playful, pulsating disco banger, Marc Almond says the song is a “let your hair down moment” which takes in a litany of retro references, with nods to T. Rex, Studio 54, David Essex’s ‘Silver Dream Racer’ and Hawkwind’s ‘Silver Machine’. It also dives back into Soft Cell’s own history with a hidden-in-plain-sight mention of The Pink Flamingo - the setting of their fan favourite ‘Say Hello, Wave Goodbye’.   

 A firm live favourite when performed on their critically acclaimed sold-out UK tour last November, ‘Nostalgia Machine’ was also cited as a future single by BBC Radio 6’s Tom Robinson when the band recently co-hosted his show. 

‘Nostalgia Machine’ will also be released on CD and 12” which are available to pre-order here now.  The CD also features a new track ‘Gemini Lounge’, while the 12” boasts the full length original seven-minute version of ‘Nostalgia Machine’ plus an extended version of album opener ‘Happy Happy Happy’.

Due to popular demand, two of the earlier pre-Pet Shop Boys versions of ‘Purple Zone’ have also been added to the formats. 

Posted by Craig Jones