English synthpop band formed in Sheffield, led by Philip Oakey. Early records (Reproduction, Travelogue) explored austere electronics; the revamped lineup achieved mainstream success with 1981's Dare and the hit single "Don't You Want Me."

Formed in Sheffield; early lineup included Philip Oakey, Martyn Ware, Ian Craig Marsh and Adrian Wright; the split of the original lineup led to the formation of Heaven 17 by former members. Dare (1981) marked their commercial breakthrough and features the international hit "Don't You Want Me."

DeBaser reviews treat The Human League as a foundational Sheffield synthpop act. Reproduction is widely praised for its austere electronics, Dare is recognized as the band's commercial breakthrough, and Travelogue provokes divided opinions — hailed as synthetic poetry by some and criticized for overproduction by others. Reviews repeatedly reference Philip Oakey, early lineup changes and the group's role in defining early 1980s electro-pop.

For:Fans of synthpop, 1980s pop, electronic music and music historians

 Travelogue is synthetic poetry. It’s the Blade Runner you’ve never seen, the diary of an artificial soul that has learned to dream, the sound of a tear falling on a circuit.

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 Dare is indeed a generational album, a progenitor of a whole series of imitators.

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 It is, in fact, a work that is neither fish nor fowl, neither experimental nor pop, but a confused middle ground.

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 what will remain by far the best album of the Sheffield group.

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