Coming out in 1983, The Luxury Gap is the definitive statement of Heaven 17’s glossy, politically-charged synth-pop. Following the departure from The Human League, the band wanted to create something that sounded expensive, sophisticated, and unashamedly “big.” It sits at the height of the New Romantic era but with a sharp, satirical bite that most of their contemporaries lacked.

The sound is a lush mix of early digital synthesisers and live instrumentation, including some truly great brass arrangements and funky basslines. It’s got a real high-fidelity sheen – a sound that mirrored the consumerist boom of the early 80s that they were often critiquing. There’s a soulful undercurrent to the whole thing, thanks in large part to Glenn Gregory’s powerhouse vocals, which give the electronic tracks a very human heart.

“Temptation” is the obvious floor-filler here, a soaring duet that everyone knows, but “Come live with me” shows off their smoother, more romantic side. “Crushed by the wheels of industry” is a fantastic example of their ability to hide social commentary inside a catchy pop hook. It’s an album that is still incredibly fun to listen to because it’s so confident and polished. It captures a specific moment in British pop when the music was smart, stylish, and meant for the masses.