Actually
Released: 1987

Actually

by Pet Shop Boys

The 225th greatest album of all time

Actually, released in 1987 by Pet Shop Boys, is a polished synth-pop album that blends electronic dance-pop rhythms with literate, often wry songwriting. The production features bright synthesizer lines, programmed beats and occasional orchestral touches, creating a tension between upbeat arrangements and Neil Tennant's detached, melancholic vocal delivery; notable tracks include the dramatic "It's a Sin" and the duet with Dusty Springfield, "What Have I Done to Deserve This?", and the record highlights the duo's knack for marrying pop melodies with ironic, introspective themes.