A-ha - "Scoundrel Days" - ALBUM REVIEW (Synth Pop, 1986)

By Dean Wolfe, Prog dog Media  |     released 1986

A-ha must have felt some pressure on this release, their sophomore album. I was one of those teenage fans in 1986, eager to hear what came next after a year-long wait.

I bought the cassette and was pleasantly surprised. When you only have one album from a band, your perception can get a bit “set,” making it harder to imagine them outside the boundaries of that first record.

Scoundrel Days is a very cool track. They know how to build goosebump-inducing intros, and Morten wastes no time—he’s soaring straight into the first chorus, like a young horse breaking into a full, joyful run across open ground. The only odd moment for me is a kind of yodel-like vocal flourish. A Norwegian thing? A European thing? Or just me noticing it too much?

I've Been Losing You is a real refresher. A-ha may be synth-pop, but here they lean into a very live-sounding drum kit rather than something trapped in a box of buttons. The result is a strong, straightforward rock feel, anchored by a solid bass line and a very satisfying chorus.

The drum machine never fully disappears, though. It’s still very present on tracks like The Swing of Things. Morten, at points, even brings to mind David Sylvian-era Japan—perhaps a subtle influence showing through.

They also show they can still push energy and edge on Manhattan Skyline, a deceptively structured track. It starts like a ballad before the chorus arrives with grit and crunch. The contrast is striking and very well handled.

The album isn’t without its weaker moments. October has some interesting found-sound textures, but feels like a slightly awkward attempt at something in the vein of Sting’s “An Englishman in New York.” And despite a decent chorus, Maybe Maybe feels out of place—almost like a novelty track, which may or may not land better with younger listeners.

On the stronger side, several tracks sit comfortably in the “fun but still atmospheric” category: The Weight of the World, Manhattan Skyline, and Soft Rains of April, which evokes a rain-soaked, Blade Runner-like mood.

Cry Wolf is an effective dance track, even if it doesn’t necessarily aim beyond that. Nothing wrong with that.

PROG DOG SCORE: 3 / 5 dog bones

Not a classic, but a solid sophomore effort—some filler, yes, but also a few genuinely strong highlights.

6/2/23 orig. published.