Video review: Pet Shop Boys – Leaving

Who says romance is dead? The Pet Shop Boys certainly don’t with their new single, Leaving. You may be aware that they have returned in their typical synth-pop fashion with the new album Elysium, released in September, and they have released a delightful video to accompany the single.

The super-mellow track’s super-mellow video has Neil Tennant’s relaxed vocals fitted to black and white filming of what looks like a European urban environment – probably not Los Angeles, where the new record was recorded.

With the backing singers’ faces appearing on background screens and Chris Lowe fading in and out of the video wearing an identity-concealing hoody, the video has slightly eerie elements, but with the music everything is exquisite and non-threatening. The bubbling synths and soulful voices set an environment that would moisten the driest of souls and have you melting in their palms – they’ve always been good at that. It seems that the idea of the video is to portray a reflective, dream-like, journey reminiscent of an old love that can still be revived. The urban pictures mix well with the vintage stage the boys are singing on.

Good to have you back, chaps.

Verdict: ••••

Matt Di Salvo

Leaving is released digitally on the 14^th October and physical copies can be purchased on the 15^th October.

There will be an opportunity to attend a signing of the new record at Rough Trade East on the 17^th October at 7pm. For more info visit the RTE website.

For more information, visit the Pet Shop Boys website.

Watch the video for Leaving here: