"Liberator" represents the ninth studio album by the English electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), hitting the shelves on June 14, 1993, under the Virgin label. Recorded by OMD frontman Andy McCluskey, along with musicians enlisted for the multi-million-selling "Sugar Tax" (1991), the album delves deeper into the dance-pop style explored by its predecessor.
In support of "Liberator," OMD embarked on a UK tour of large venues, with Gary Numan as the opening act, following the success of "Sugar Tax." However, despite the anticipation, "Liberator" did not achieve the same level of popularity, peaking at number 14 on the UK Albums Chart and selling almost half a million copies by mid-1996. The album spawned three singles, with lead single "Stand Above Me" and follow-up "Dream of Me" both charting in the Top 25 on the UK Singles Chart.
Critical reception of "Liberator" was mixed, with McCluskey himself later expressing dissatisfaction with the album, describing it as "busy and messy." Despite its reception, "Liberator" remains a notable entry in OMD's discography, showcasing their continued exploration of electronic and dance-pop sounds during the early 1990s.
