"Romantic?" is indeed a significant album in the Human League’s discography, released in 1990 after a four-year gap from their previous work. The album's production involved notable figures like Martin Rushent, who had been instrumental in the band's earlier success with *Dare* and was later joined by Mark Brydon, who would gain fame with Moloko.
The album’s release marked a challenging period for the Human League. After the commercial and critical highs of Dare, Romantic? represented a downturn, reflected both in its reception and the band’s waning popularity. The song “The Stars Are Going Out” poignantly addresses this decline, though it was ultimately dismissed as a potential single due to its lackluster reception. Critics often viewed the album as a low point, contributing to the band's split from Virgin Records.
Despite the setbacks, the album did yield some success. The first single, “Heart Like a Wheel,” achieved moderate chart success, reaching No. 29 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 32 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. However, subsequent singles and the album itself did not fare as well. Romantic?peaked at No. 24 on the UK Albums Chart, and the band moved to East West Records for their next release, Octopus, in 1995.
The live performance of “The Stars Are Going Out” on *Later... with Jools Holland* in 1995, which was later featured on the *The Very Best of the Human League* DVD, illustrates the band's ongoing commitment to their music despite the challenges faced during this period.
