Two of the biggest duos in synth-pop, Pet Shop Boys and Soft Cell, have teamed up for new single, Purple Zone.

The song premiered earlier today (Tuesday 22 March) on Zoe Ball’s BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show and features on Soft Cell’s new album, *Happiness Not Included, released 6 May on BMG.

You can listen to the track here.

The unique collab occurred after Pet Shop Boys attended one of Soft Cell’s 2021 live shows, and immediately picked out Purple Zone as one of their favourites from the evening. 

The two duos initially planned for Pet Shop Boys to remix the song, but their collaboration quickly mutated into a full collaboration. Not only is their collaboration a brand new single release, but this version has also been added to the *Happiness Not Included tracklist.

Read more: Soft Cell *Happiness Not Included interview

Marc Almond says: “Working with the Pet Shop Boys was a pleasure, and this track is the perfect combination of us and them.” Dave Ball adds: Purple Zone is probably our finest pop moment since the early 1980s.”

“We are thrilled to collaborate with such an inspirational duo as Soft Cell on this gorgeous song,” said the Pet Shop Boys.

Purple Zone will also be released on CD and 12” formats, which are available to pre-order here. The CD also features Soft Cell’s take on the X-Ray Spex cult classic The Day The World Turned Day-Glo, and the Manhattan Clique remix of Purple Zone, while the 12” boasts a full selection of mixes by Pet Shop Boys.

Along with the recent single Bruises On All My Illusions and the album title track Happiness Not Included, Purple Zone primes fans as to what to expect from Soft Cell’s first album in 20 years: a distinctive and striking balance between light and shade, hope and despair, the personal and the universal.

*Happiness Not Included is available to pre-order here.

Read more: Soft Cell 2018 interview

Read more: Top 40 Pet Shop Boys singles

‘Purple Zone’ single tracklists:

CD:

  1. ‘Purple Zone’ (single version)
  2. ‘Purple Zone’ (Pet Shop Boys extended mix)
  3. ‘Purple Zone’ (Manhattan Clique remix)
  4. ‘The Day The World Turned Day-Glo’

12”:

A1. ‘Purple Zone’ (single version)

A2. ‘Purple Zone (Pet Shop Boys extended mix)

B1. ‘Purple Zone’ (Pet Shop Boys remix)

B2. ‘Purple Zone’ (Pet Shop Boys remix dub)