"Strip" is the second solo studio album by Adam Ant, released in 1983. It marks a significant stylistic shift from his earlier work, being less rock-oriented and more focused on pop and dance music. This was also his fifth studio album, including his work with Adam and the Ants. The album was produced by Adam Ant himself along with Marco Pirroni, who had been his main songwriting collaborator. Richard James Burgess also contributed to the production of the album.
The album's production featured a notable collaboration with Phil Collins, who played drums on the tracks "Puss 'n Boots" and the title track, "Strip." Collins also helped with the production of these two tracks, enlisting Hugh Padgham to assist with engineering. Anni-Frid Lyngstad, of ABBA fame, provided the female spoken part on "Strip." The album’s cover photo was designed to evoke a famous image of actress Jane Russell from Howard Hughes' 1943 film The Outlaw.
Musically, Strip departed from the rock sounds that defined Adam Ant's earlier solo work and his tenure with Adam and the Ants. The lead single, "Puss 'n Boots," reflected his ongoing interest in pantomime themes and theatricality, and it became his final UK Top 10 hit, reaching No. 5 on the UK chart in November 1983. However, the song did not chart in the U.S., and the follow-up single, "Strip," reached No. 41 in the UK and No. 42 in the U.S. The third planned single, "Playboy," was ultimately never released.
Critically, Strip received a mixed to negative reception. Ian Birch of Smash Hits described the album as having a "new and much fresher style" with "more thoughtful writing" and "adventurous arrangements," though he noted that the "obsession with sex" became a bit much at times. Other reviews were more critical, with Trouser Press dismissing the album unfavorably. Despite the mixed reception, the album did help to secure Adam Ant a significant U.S. tour, which became the largest American tour of his career.
During the tour, Ant incorporated dramatic showmanship, including a Houdini-style immersion tank, where he would "strip" his stage costume off before jumping into the tank and emerging wearing only black shorts. This gimmick was part of the theatrical nature of his live performances at the time.
The album did not perform as well commercially as Ant's previous releases. It peaked at No. 65 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and did not reach the top 20, despite his tour manager, Michael Kleffman, striking a deal where Ant would earn a bonus if the album or its follow-up, Vive Le Rock, peaked in the top 20. Neither album managed to achieve this milestone. While the album marked a significant period in Adam Ant's career, it also signaled the end of his commercial peak in the early 1980s.
