The adventurous Homosapien, Pete Shelley's solo debut from 1982, saw Shelley create a sound far removed from his work with The Buzzcocks.

 

Co-produced with Martin Rushent, the album blended Electronics with aspects of Glam and avant-garde and firmly placed Shelley at the forefront of the then in-vogue Synth Pop scene alongside the likes of Depeche Mode and The Human League.

 

140g double vinyl in gatefold sleeve with 2-page insert. Includes 6 bonus tracks.

 

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Homosapien, released on 15th January 1982, was a long time in the making, drawing on ideas from before his time with Buzzcocks. Many of the songs, including the title track, were written as early as 1973, when Pete first began experimenting with home recording. His early bands, like Jets of Air, were influenced by glam and experimental sounds, laying the groundwork for his later solo work. Despite his involvement in Buzzcocks, Pete’s desire to explore electronic music and more experimental styles grew, especially after seeing bands like Joy Division and Gang of Four garner critical praise.

 

By 1981, the tension within Buzzcocks was evident, with Pete feeling creatively stifled. The band was struggling with money issues, and Pete's desire to explore new musical directions was clashing with the band's more traditional punk style. He had already started working on solo material, including early recordings with Martin Rushent, who had encouraged Pete to pursue a solo project, and Homosapien took shape quickly, with Pete playing most instruments himself and using synthesisers to craft a sound far removed from Buzzcocks' punk roots. Released through Rushent's Genetic Records, the title track, with its provocative lyrics, garnered attention, though some of Pete’s personal themes sparked controversy. Despite initial resistance from his former label EMI, Homosapien found success, particularly in the U.S. with Arista, where tracks like “In Love with Somebody Else” were included in place of some earlier demos. The album marked a significant departure from Pete’s past, but it also opened the door to his next creative phase.

 

In a 1983 interview, Pete Shelley discussed his shift away from the past, particularly the success of Buzzcocks, towards more introspective, experimental music. With Homosapien, Shelley embraced an electro-pop sound, largely overshadowed by The Human League's Dare, despite Homosapien being recorded first. Shelley explained his lack of interest in proving anything to the public, focusing instead on creating songs that resonate deeply, without adhering to commercial expectations. Critics compared Homosapien to the works of The Human League and Heaven 17, but Shelley’s focus was on creating timeless, personal music.