Clean Air Hybrid Electric Bus
Writers - Tennant/Lowe
First released - 2024
Original album - bonus track on the Furthermore disc of the Japanese two-disc special edition of Nonetheless
Producer - Pet Shop Boys
Subsequent albums - (none)
Other releases - bonus track with the "New London Boy" / "All the Young Dudes" double-a single
The Japanese release of the two-disc special edition of Nonetheless features this track as an extra track on its accompanying bonus Furthermore disc. Written in January 2015 and originally titled simply "Clean Air Hybrid," it was inspired by Neil having noticed—what else?—a clean air hybrid electric bus while taking a walk in New York City. He has described the recording as "a little bit psychedelic" and said that it would probably become a b-side at some point. Sure enough, it would be released as a bonus track on one of the two CDs for the Pet Shop Boys' November 2024 double-A single "New London Boy"/"All the Young Dudes."
Essentially a synthpop instrumental that pays tribute in sound, style, and spirit to Kraftwerk (no other major artist was more obsessed with techno-iconography), its only lyrics are "Clean air hybrid electric bus" and "Clean air, clean air, clean air, clean air," which Neil sings several times in a strangely casual, off-handed manner, not his usual style of singing at all. A very odd, slight track, relatively brief at only 3:04 in length, it's the kind of thing our musical heroes can dash off with minimal effort. Aside from that near-fetishization of Kraftwerk, it's hardly worth a second thought.
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