For a movement birthed out of the late 70s’ punk scene, it didn’t take long for new wave to become entirely married to pop.

The fantastic lead single, Karma Chameleon, is as sweet as New Order is moody. Throughout the album, the group draws richly from R&B, samba, and soul, melding them into their new wave to create a brand of catchy, world-conscious pop that wouldn’t be out of place in Prince’s catalogue. Black Money could easily be a Mariah Carey hit. Miss You Blind is a moody balls-to-the-wall dance track with a killer guitar solo. And at the center of all the genre melding is the androgynous Boy George, who despite the his sexually ambiguous edginess just wants to sing pop songs. And he does, with great success. His voice is soulful and self aware, in keeping with the lineage of Young Americans era Bowie’s blue eyed soul.

It wouldn’t be difficult to argue that this isn’t a very important album. It rarely makes any large statements, and so much of it is performed with their tongues tucked ever so lightly into their cheeks (like the power ballad closer Victims) But it is fun as hell, and anyone who ignores its strength due to its levity does so at their own peril.