Crush

"Crush" is the sixth studio album by English electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), released on June 17, 1985, under Virgin Records. Produced by Stephen Hague, this album marks a significant shift for OMD towards a more polished sound aimed at the US market, while still retaining elements of their earlier experimental style.

During the recording of "Crush," OMD incorporated more organic instrumentation than in their previous works, a departure influenced by Hague's production approach. The album was completed under strict time constraints imposed by the record label, which later led to regrets among band members for not challenging these limitations. This hectic schedule, coupled with tensions over the sleek production style, contributed to diminished morale within the group, prompting co-founder Paul Humphreys to briefly leave during the album's creation.

Despite these challenges, "Crush" received positive reviews and achieved notable commercial success. It became OMD's only top-40 album on the US Billboard 200 chart and remained on Canada's RPM chart for 43 weeks. The album produced three singles, with "So in Love" becoming OMD's breakthrough hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 25.

Alongside the album, OMD released "Crush: The Movie," a long-form video featuring discussions about their career and performances of songs from the album. Overall, "Crush" stands as a pivotal release in OMD's discography, showcasing their evolution in sound and their growing impact on the American music scene during the mid-1980s.