The Stranglers

Released in January 1983, Feline is the seventh studio album by British band The Stranglers, marking a significant turning point in their musical evolution. Issued on Epic Records, the album sees the band move away from their aggressive punk roots to explore colder, more melodic and synthetic sounds — at times blending new wave, goth rock, and a touch of European pop.

A bold shift

From the opening track, it's clear that The Stranglers are taking a risk. Jean-Jacques Burnel's sharp bass, often a driving force, takes a step back to make room for the atmospheric keyboards of Dave Greenfield. The tempo is slower, the tension more subdued. The mood evokes bands like The Cure, Depeche Mode, or even Kraftwerk, yet with the Stranglers' trademark cynicism and smooth delivery.

The first track, "Midnight Summer Dream", perfectly sets the tone: synthetic layers, hypnotic rhythm, and Hugh Cornwell’s semi-spoken vocals. It's dark and almost dreamlike. On the other end, "European Female (In Celebration Of)", one of the album’s standout singles, brings a cold sensuality, driven by a haunting bassline and cryptic lyrics. The song became a European hit, affirming the band's more continental direction.

A distinct 1980s production

Produced by the band themselves with engineer Steve Churchyard, the album’s sound is pure early 80s: clean production, electronic drums, and synthetic bass lines. This gives Feline a cohesive aesthetic, though it may have alienated some longtime fans.

Among other highlights, "Let's Tango in Paris", sung in French, shows the band's effort to internationalize their message, while "All Roads Lead to Rome" brings back some of the old urgency, though in a more restrained form.