"Gentlemen Take Polaroids" is the fourth studio album by the English band Japan, released in November 1980 on Virgin Records. This album marked the band’s first release after their departure from Hansa-Ariola and continued the stylistic direction begun on their previous album, Quiet Life. It blended elegant Euro-disco elements with more ambitious, sophisticated arrangements. The album's production was notably meticulous, with multiple takes on each instrument and editing from different sessions. However, during this period, tensions within the band increased, with lead vocalist David Sylvian becoming increasingly dominant in the studio, contributing to the band's eventual break-up.
The album’s lyrical content largely continued the themes of travel and escape found on Quiet Life, particularly in songs like "Swing," which explores the notion of fleeing to foreign lands. The song "Nightporter," however, introduced a more introspective side to Sylvian’s songwriting, reflecting his growing sense of personal alienation. Another track, "Taking Islands in Africa," was a collaboration with Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto, with Sakamoto receiving a songwriting credit.
Musically, the album features more complex arrangements, with Sylvian’s perfectionist tendencies pushing the band’s sound into more experimental territories. The album also marked the departure of guitarist Rob Dean, who left Japan in 1981 after contributing minimally to the recording process. His absence and Sylvian's increased control over the band's sound played a part in the eventual dissolution of Japan.
The album's title track was released as a single in October 1980, marking the band's first appearance on the UK singles chart, reaching No. 60. The album itself peaked at No. 51 on the UK Albums Chart, later achieving gold certification for sales of 100,000 copies by 1986. Although no further singles were initially released, the song "Nightporter" was later remixed and issued as a single in 1982, just after the band had announced their breakup.
In 2003, Gentlemen Take Polaroids was reissued with slightly altered cover art and three bonus tracks: "The Width of a Room" (written by guitarist Rob Dean), "The Experience of Swimming" (composed by keyboardist Richard Barbieri), and a remixed version of "Taking Islands in Africa." The album received further attention in 2018 with the release of half-speed mastered vinyl pressings, including a deluxe edition featuring a gatefold and all lyrics printed inside.
Gentlemen Take Polaroids marked a significant point in Japan’s evolution, offering a glimpse into their more sophisticated, experimental phase, but also foreshadowing their dissolution. It remains a key release in their discography, highlighting the band's shift toward more complex and ambient musical landscapes, as well as the growing tensions that led to the end of the group.
Gentlemen Take Polaroids had a notable influence on several artists, particularly in the new wave and post-punk scenes. Gary Numan, for instance, was deeply inspired by the album, going on to hire Japan's bassist Mick Karn and guitarist Rob Dean to play on his 1981 album Dance. In his autobiography, Numan even dedicated a chapter to Gentlemen Take Polaroids, underscoring its impact on his own work and creative direction.
The title track of the album also found a place in the club scene, becoming a favorite among DJs. Nick Rhodes of Duran Duran, a close contemporary of Japan, frequently played it at the Rum Runner, the club that helped launch the band's career. Additionally, Rusty Egan, a member of Visage and an influential figure in the London club scene, played it at the Blitz, a hotspot for the burgeoning New Romantic movement. This helped cement Gentlemen Take Polaroids as an essential part of the early 1980s underground and club culture.
