album · November 7, 1980

Gentlemen Take Polaroids

Japan

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art popsynth-popnew wave

The 1980 album, Gentlemen Take Polaroids, saw Japan further refine their signature art-pop sound, incorporating more synths and a distinctly melancholic atmosphere. The album is a significant step in their sonic evolution, bridging their earlier new wave leanings with the sophisticated soundscapes that would define their later work.

• The album was produced by Steve Nye, who had previously worked with Roxy Music and U2.
• Gentlemen Take Polaroids reached number 46 on the UK Albums Chart.
• The album features the band's first explicit use of synthesizers as a lead instrument, particularly on the title track.

Japan formed in 1974 in Sylva, North Carolina. They are best known for their blend of art pop, synth-pop, and new wave. In 1980, following the success of Quiet Life, Japan was poised to break into the mainstream with their third studio album.