"Up" is the fifth studio album by the English synth-pop band ABC. It was released in October 1989. This album marked a departure from the mature blue-eyed soul that defined the band's previous album, "Alphabet City". Instead, it saw the band delving back into the mainstream pop sound that was prominent in their earlier work.
"Up" yielded two hit singles, "The Real Thing" and "One Better World", which was an early venture into house music for the band. Despite the commercial potential, the album didn't perform well in the charts, peaking at No.58 in the UK.
The somewhat underwhelming chart performance can partially be attributed to the stark contrast in the musical style from their more highly rated mature, jazzy pop sounds. However, it still retains a sense of the original ABC sound and shows some notable experimentation from the band in terms of genres and styles. Despite the mixed reception, the album showcases the band’s ability to evolve with the times and demonstrates a bold willingness to experiment with their musical style.
