Soft Cell - Bruises on my Illusions
Soft Cell – Bruises on my Illusions

Soft Cell have unveiled their first single from their forthcoming album *Happiness Not Included, the epic Bruises On My Illusions.

“Bruises On My Illusions is a mini film noir Soft Cell story,” explains Marc Almond, “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 calls the song “one of our darker cinematic pop moments with a classic Marc Almond lyric.”

The single is available now digitally, with CD and 12” vinyl singles available for pre-order. 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’s Chris & Cosey, and extended versions of album tracks *Happiness Not Included and Heart Like Chernobyl plus bonus track Vapourise.

Read more: Soft Cell interview

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

*Happiness Not Included is released on 25 February and is available to pre-order here.

Live dates

Wednesday 10 November 2021 GLASGOW O2 ACADEMY

Friday 12 November 2021 MANCHESTER O2 APOLLO

Saturday 13 November 2021 LEEDS O2 ACADEMY

Monday 15 November 2021 LONDON HAMMERSMITH APOLLO

Tuesday 16 November 2021 LONDON HAMMERSMITH APOLLO

‘Bruises On My Illusions’ CD tracklist:

  1. ‘Bruises On My Illusions’ (album version)
  2. ‘Bruises On My Illusions’ (Manhattan Clique remix)
  3. ‘Vapourise’ (Dave Ball extended version)
  4. ‘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)