Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
After nearly a decade between studio full-lengths, Placebo returned with one of the strongest efforts in their catalog, 2022's excellent Never Let Me Go. Recording as a duo, the core songwriting pair of founders Brian Molko and Stefan Olsdal benefits from this focused perspective, delivering a reliably artsy and stylish set of songs that longtime fans would expect -- urgent alt-rock fortified with electrified glam fuzz -- that somehow manages to revive the darkest '90s alternative energy while remaining thoroughly contemporary with impeccable production quality. Three decades on, and Molko and Olsdal are also older and wiser, the hedonistic anthems of their youth giving way to intense existential ruminations, fear and panic, and just a brief suggestion of hope for a thoroughly broken world. One of the most distinctive vocalists of his time, Molko remains the main draw, whether he's unleashing his angst and frustration on tracks such as the chaotic "Hugz'' and churning "Twin Demons," or wringing the only drops of optimism from the bittersweet, string-drenched "The Prodigal." He delves into paranoia on "Surrounded by Spies" -- whose creeping synths and claustrophobic atmospherics recall late-'90s Depeche Mode -- and mourns our planet on the deceptively peppy "Try Better Next Time," a sardonic dose of resignation about the world's end. Meanwhile, Olsdal's backing elevates the entirety of Never Let Me Go, from the intergalactic post-punk gallop of "Chemtrails" and the infectious groove of the scuzzed-out "Sad White Reggae" to the pensive, piano-driven "This Is What You Wanted" and the hypnotic Cure-meets-Depeche-Mode closer "Fix Yourself." Additional highlights on this flawless set include the opening run of the clanging "Forever Chemicals" -- a showcase of guitar distortion, pounding percussion, and digitized sci-fi unease -- and standout single "Beautiful James," a soaring moment of tenderness that swells atop squiggling synths and a wave of riffs. Despite the overwhelming emotions, Never Let Me Go is an exercise in control and expert execution that finds Placebo on another level of songwriting and point of view, a welcome surprise at this stage in their careers.
© Neil Z. Yeung /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From €13,50/month
Stefan Olsdal, Composer - Placebo, Producer, MainArtist - Brian Molko, Composer - Adam Noble, Producer, Mixer - steve ludwin, Composer - Steven Ludwin, Composer
© 2022 Elevator Lady Ltd under exclusive license to SO Recordings ℗ 2022 Elevator Lady Ltd under exclusive license to SO Recordings. Distributed by ADA, a division of Warner Music Australia Pty Ltd
Stefan Olsdal, Composer, Producer, Electric Guitar, Backing Vocals, Bass - Placebo, MainArtist - Brian Molko, Composer, Producer, Electric Guitar, Vocals, Synthesizer - Robin Schmidt, Engineer - Adam Noble, Producer, Engineer - William Lloyd, Engineer - Masterer, Masterer - Pietro Garrone, Drums
© 2022 Elevator Lady Ltd under exclusive license to SO Recordings ℗ 2021 Elevator Lady Ltd under exclusive license to Rise Records, Inc.
Stefan Olsdal, Composer - Placebo, Producer, MainArtist - Brian Molko, Composer - Adam Noble, Producer, Mixer
© 2022 Elevator Lady Ltd under exclusive license to SO Recordings ℗ 2022 Elevator Lady Ltd under exclusive license to SO Recordings. Distributed by ADA, a division of Warner Music Australia Pty Ltd
Stefan Olsdal, Composer - Placebo, Producer, MainArtist - Brian Molko, Composer - Adam Noble, Producer, Mixer
© 2022 Elevator Lady Ltd under exclusive license to SO Recordings ℗ 2022 Elevator Lady Ltd under exclusive license to SO Recordings. Distributed by ADA, a division of Warner Music Australia Pty Ltd
Stefan Olsdal, Composer - Placebo, Producer, MainArtist - Brian Molko, Composer - Adam Noble, Producer, Mixer
© 2022 Elevator Lady Ltd under exclusive license to SO Recordings ℗ 2022 Elevator Lady Ltd under exclusive license to SO Recordings. Distributed by ADA, a division of Warner Music Australia Pty Ltd
Stefan Olsdal, Composer - Placebo, Producer, MainArtist - Brian Molko, Composer - Adam Noble, Producer, Mixer
© 2022 Elevator Lady Ltd under exclusive license to SO Recordings ℗ 2021 Elevator Lady Ltd under exclusive license to SO Recordings. Distributed by ADA, a division of Warner Music Australia Pty Ltd
Stefan Olsdal, Composer - Placebo, Producer, MainArtist - Brian Molko, Composer - Adam Noble, Producer, Mixer
© 2022 Elevator Lady Ltd under exclusive license to SO Recordings ℗ 2022 Elevator Lady Ltd under exclusive license to SO Recordings. Distributed by ADA, a division of Warner Music Australia Pty Ltd
Stefan Olsdal, Composer - Placebo, Producer, MainArtist - Brian Molko, Composer - Adam Noble, Producer, Mixer
© 2022 Elevator Lady Ltd under exclusive license to SO Recordings ℗ 2022 Elevator Lady Ltd under exclusive license to SO Recordings. Distributed by ADA, a division of Warner Music Australia Pty Ltd
Stefan Olsdal, Composer - Placebo, Producer, MainArtist - Brian Molko, Composer - Adam Noble, Producer, Mixer
© 2022 Elevator Lady Ltd under exclusive license to SO Recordings ℗ 2022 Elevator Lady Ltd under exclusive license to SO Recordings. Distributed by ADA, a division of Warner Music Australia Pty Ltd
Stefan Olsdal, Composer - Placebo, Producer, MainArtist - Brian Molko, Composer - Adam Noble, Producer, Mixer
© 2022 Elevator Lady Ltd under exclusive license to SO Recordings ℗ 2022 Elevator Lady Ltd under exclusive license to SO Recordings. Distributed by ADA, a division of Warner Music Australia Pty Ltd
Stefan Olsdal, Composer - Placebo, Producer, MainArtist - Brian Molko, Composer - Adam Noble, Producer, Mixer
© 2022 Elevator Lady Ltd under exclusive license to SO Recordings ℗ 2022 Elevator Lady Ltd under exclusive license to SO Recordings. Distributed by ADA, a division of Warner Music Australia Pty Ltd
Stefan Olsdal, Composer - Placebo, Producer, MainArtist - Brian Molko, Composer - Adam Noble, Producer, Mixer
© 2022 Elevator Lady Ltd under exclusive license to SO Recordings ℗ 2022 Elevator Lady Ltd under exclusive license to SO Recordings. Distributed by ADA, a division of Warner Music Australia Pty Ltd
Stefan Olsdal, Composer - Placebo, Producer, MainArtist - Brian Molko, Composer - Adam Noble, Producer, Mixer - William Lloyd, Composer
© 2022 Elevator Lady Ltd under exclusive license to SO Recordings ℗ 2022 Elevator Lady Ltd under exclusive license to SO Recordings. Distributed by ADA, a division of Warner Music Australia Pty Ltd
Album review
After nearly a decade between studio full-lengths, Placebo returned with one of the strongest efforts in their catalog, 2022's excellent Never Let Me Go. Recording as a duo, the core songwriting pair of founders Brian Molko and Stefan Olsdal benefits from this focused perspective, delivering a reliably artsy and stylish set of songs that longtime fans would expect -- urgent alt-rock fortified with electrified glam fuzz -- that somehow manages to revive the darkest '90s alternative energy while remaining thoroughly contemporary with impeccable production quality. Three decades on, and Molko and Olsdal are also older and wiser, the hedonistic anthems of their youth giving way to intense existential ruminations, fear and panic, and just a brief suggestion of hope for a thoroughly broken world. One of the most distinctive vocalists of his time, Molko remains the main draw, whether he's unleashing his angst and frustration on tracks such as the chaotic "Hugz'' and churning "Twin Demons," or wringing the only drops of optimism from the bittersweet, string-drenched "The Prodigal." He delves into paranoia on "Surrounded by Spies" -- whose creeping synths and claustrophobic atmospherics recall late-'90s Depeche Mode -- and mourns our planet on the deceptively peppy "Try Better Next Time," a sardonic dose of resignation about the world's end. Meanwhile, Olsdal's backing elevates the entirety of Never Let Me Go, from the intergalactic post-punk gallop of "Chemtrails" and the infectious groove of the scuzzed-out "Sad White Reggae" to the pensive, piano-driven "This Is What You Wanted" and the hypnotic Cure-meets-Depeche-Mode closer "Fix Yourself." Additional highlights on this flawless set include the opening run of the clanging "Forever Chemicals" -- a showcase of guitar distortion, pounding percussion, and digitized sci-fi unease -- and standout single "Beautiful James," a soaring moment of tenderness that swells atop squiggling synths and a wave of riffs. Despite the overwhelming emotions, Never Let Me Go is an exercise in control and expert execution that finds Placebo on another level of songwriting and point of view, a welcome surprise at this stage in their careers.
© Neil Z. Yeung /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 13 track(s)
- Total length: 00:57:35
- Main artists: Placebo
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Placebo
- Genre: Pop/Rock Rock Alternative & Indie
© 2022 Elevator Lady Ltd under exclusive license to SO Recordings ℗ 2022 Elevator Lady Ltd under exclusive license to SO Recordings. Distributed by ADA, a division of Warner Music Australia Pty Ltd
Improve album informationWhy buy on Qobuz...
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalogue with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.