The Human League – Dare!

The Human League – Dare!

Released in 1981, Dare! is one of the defining albums of the British synth-pop movement and the breakthrough record from The Human League. Combining synthesizers, drum machines, electronic rhythms, catchy pop melodies, and the distinctive vocals of Philip Oakey, Susan Ann Sulley and Joanne Catherall, the album helped bring electronic pop music firmly into the mainstream.

Produced by Martin Rushent, Dare! transformed The Human League's earlier experimental electronic sound into something remarkably accessible without losing its futuristic character. The result is a sleek, melodic, and highly influential record that became a landmark of early-1980s pop.

The album opens with "The Things Dreams Are Made Of," an atmospheric synth-pop statement that immediately establishes the record's futuristic aesthetic. "Open Your Heart" and "The Sound Of The Crowd" follow with infectious electronic grooves, while "Darkness" introduces a darker and more dramatic mood.

"Do Or Die" closes the first side before the brief instrumental "Get Carter" leads into the second half. "I Am The Law" and "Seconds" demonstrate the band's ability to combine minimal electronic production with strong melodies and striking lyrical themes.

"Love Action (I Believe In Love)" is another standout, driven by an infectious synth groove and Oakey's distinctive vocal performance. The album concludes with "Don't You Want Me," arguably The Human League's signature song and one of the most recognisable synth-pop singles of the 1980s.

A huge commercial success, Dare! helped establish synth-pop and electronic pop as major forces in mainstream music. Its influence extends from new wave and post-punk into dance music, electro, indie pop, and modern electronic production.

Essential for fans of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, Soft Cell, Depeche Mode, Yazoo, Gary Numan, Ultravox, and classic 1980s synth-pop, Dare! remains one of the essential electronic pop albums of its era.

Tracklist

Side A

1. The Things Dreams Are Made Of – 4:11
2. Open Your Heart – 3:54
3. The Sound Of The Crowd – 4:01
4. Darkness – 3:57
5. Do Or Die – 5:23

Side B

1. Get Carter – 1:00
2. I Am The Law – 4:10
3. Seconds – 4:57
4. Love Action (I Believe In Love) – 4:58
5. Don't You Want Me – 3:57