"Very" is the fifth studio album by the English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys, released on September 27, 1993. It marked a significant shift in their musical style from the more subdued electronic pop of their previous album, Behaviour, to vibrant, richly instrumented dance arrangements. This change was reflective of their evolving sound and themes. The album is often referred to as their "coming-out" album, as Neil Tennant openly discussed his sexuality around this time, which influenced the album's lyrical content. The Pet Shop Boys embraced a more exuberant and celebratory tone, solidifying their place in the pop landscape.
Very, released in 1993, marked a significant comeback for the Pet Shop Boys after the mixed commercial reception of their previous album, Behaviour. While Behaviour was critically acclaimed, it struggled in the charts, particularly with the single "Being Boring," which peaked at number 20 in the UK. Following the Performance Tour in 1991, which also received mixed reviews, the duo took a break and released a compilation, Discography, leading some to speculate about their future.
However, the tracks on Very impressed their record label, with EMI representative Tony Wadsworth noting the commercial potential of the songs. The promotion for Very also marked a new era, utilizing CGI in music videos for increased airplay on channels like MTV.
The album included a limited edition double album titled Very Relentless, featuring a six-track dance album with more experimental tracks. While plans existed to expand this into a full album, it evolved into Disco 2. The tracks from Relentless weren't widely available until a remastered EP was released in 2023.
Very was reissued multiple times, including a remastered edition in 2001 with bonus tracks and a straightforward remastered version in 2009. It became the Pet Shop Boys' most successful album, reaching number one in the UK and yielding several top 20 singles, including "Go West." Despite its success in the UK, it struggled to make an impact on the US charts, attributed to the dominance of grunge and alternative rock at the time.
