Scritti Politti

The Profile

British new wave/synth-pop group formed in 1977, led by Welsh-born singer-songwriter Green Gartside. Early DIY/post-punk singles on Rough Trade evolved into the polished pop of Cupid & Psyche 85 and later albums, with literate lyrics and sleek production.

Formed in Leeds and first released on Rough Trade before moving to Virgin; early politicized DIY period included Skank Bloc Bologna and Peel Sessions; core creative force is Green Gartside, with key collaborator David Gamson; albums include Songs to Remember (1982), Cupid & Psyche 85 (1985), Provision (1988), Anomie & Bonhomie (1999), and White Bread Black Beer (2006).

Four DeBaser reviews trace Scritti Politti from their politicized DIY beginnings to the sleek pop of Cupid & Psyche 85 and the reflective White Bread Black Beer. Reviewers highlight Green Gartside’s literate lyrics, falsetto, and the blend of commercial sheen with refined craft. Standout tracks cited include Perfect Way, Absolute, The Word Girl, and Wood Beez. Early EPs and the Rough Trade era get contextual love, with notes on Gramsci and Derrida references.