Four decades after redefining synth-pop with their groundbreaking debut album Please, Pet Shop Boys are marking the milestone with a release that reflects not just their sound, but their unmistakable visual identity. Announced to coincide with the 40th anniversary of their 1986 debut, Volume is a comprehensive 592-page hardback that captures the full artistic universe of the duo from 1984 through 2024.
Published by Thames & Hudson and arriving on April 7, 2026, Volume expands upon their earlier 2006 book Catalogue, reimagined in a new format and enriched with two additional decades of creative output. The result is a definitive visual archive—meticulously organized in chronological order—that traces the evolution of one of pop music’s most visually innovative acts.
The book brings together an extraordinary collection of material, including album sleeve artwork, video stills, stage designs, costumes, photography, and merchandise. It highlights the duo’s long-standing collaboration with Farrow Design, whose work has been instrumental in shaping the sleek, conceptual aesthetic synonymous with Pet Shop Boys. Alongside this partnership, Volume showcases contributions from an impressive roster of creative luminaries such as Wolfgang Tillmans, Martin Parr, Sam Taylor-Johnson, Zaha Hadid, Derek Jarman, Es Devlin, and Tom Scutt.
Accompanying the visuals are thoughtful commentaries and captions from writer and long-time collaborator Chris Heath, along with reflections from the duo themselves and Farrow. The publication also includes the original text by Philip Hoare, a newly recorded conversation between Pet Shop Boys and Heath, a fresh introduction by design historian Libby Sellers, and a foreword by Turner Prize-winning artist Jeremy Deller.
Reflecting on the project, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe described the process as both ambitious and rewarding, noting that compiling decades of artwork, stage design, and video production into a single volume initially felt daunting. The finished product, however, stands as a testament to their enduring creative partnership with Farrow and their commitment to visual storytelling as an extension of their music.
The announcement of Volume arrives alongside another exciting chapter for the duo: a special run of “Obscure” concerts at Electric Ballroom in London from April 6–10. These performances will feature a unique setlist composed entirely of non-single album tracks and B-sides, offering fans a rare glimpse into the deeper cuts of their catalog. Notably, the April 8 show will serve as a benefit concert supporting War Child UK, reinforcing the duo’s longstanding commitment to social causes.
With Volume, Pet Shop Boys once again demonstrate that their legacy extends far beyond music. It is a legacy built equally on sound, design, and cultural influence—now captured in a single, definitive work that celebrates 40 years of artistic innovation.
