When a-ha burst onto the scene with "Take on Me" in 1985, they were instantly labeled as pure, synth-pop bubblegum. Their debut album, Hunting High and Low , was a massive success, but it also pigeonholed them. However, in 1986, the Norwegian trio—Morten Harket, Magne Furuholmen, and Pål Waaktaar-Savoy—returned with a vengeance, defying expectations with their sophomore masterpiece, .

9.5/10 Recommended for: Fans of The Blue Nile, Prefab Sprout, Tears for Fears, and anyone who thinks 80s music was all bubblegum.

: The album's lead single. The brassy synth stabs and aggressive guitar work sound crisper than ever.

When a-ha released their sophomore album Scoundrel Days on October 6, 1986, they faced the impossible task of following up the global phenomenon of "Take On Me". Rather than chasing another neon-soaked pop hit, the Norwegian trio—Morten Harket, Pål Waaktaar, and Magne Furuholmen—opted for a colder, darker, and more atmospheric sound. The 2010 from Rhino Records serves as the definitive celebration of this creative pivot, offering a deep dive into the band's most critically respected era. A Darker Shade of Synth-Pop

Let’s address the elephant in the room. The original had terrible saving mechanics. You could only save at payphones, which meant repeating 45 minutes of stealth if you failed.