NEW SINGLE: Hymn (In memoriam Alexei Navalny)

[retrofuturist]

Greetings,



Pet Shop Boys today release a new dance mix of “Hymn (In memoriam Alexei Navalny)”, a song dedicated to his memory and cause, which was originally released in February 2025.

The new version, in which Neil quotes extracts from Navalny’s prison letters and his book “Patriot”, is now available as a three-track digital release along with the original mix and a choral mix. The official video for the dance mix which, unlike the streaming version features audio extracts from Navalny’s speeches, is now also available to watch on YouTube at the link below.

Multilink: https://petshopboys.lnk.to/hymn

Official Video - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQM8sO2dlw4

Retro.

[zukunft]

It‘s not a proper single, is it?

[retrofuturist]

Greetings,

It‘s not a proper single, is it?

It appears that Axis and Integral now have a new room-mate.

If you believe the lnk.to multilink above it's explicitly called a "single" there.

Retro.

[raggatwin]

I don't think I will ever listen to that again, pretty bad

[madsnielsen]

I don't think I will ever listen to that again, pretty bad

I like it, and I love the message. I will listen to it. It's also a track that makes me even more proud of being a Pet Shop Boys fan.

[Gabby]

Whilst not particularly a fan of the track, clearly PSB are doubling down with this track, of course for the benefit concert, but for some reason this feels right to me anyway.

I almost wish for a physical release (12") with perhaps a slightly less lyrically obvious, but still anti-Putin/pro free Russia track as a b-side.

Almost...

As it stands this is another digital only release, for now, that I will only ever hear on Spotify if it ever randomly rolls around, but good on the Boys for sticking to their guns!

[g_m]

(TOGETHER!) We will go our way...

Good grief that's awful.

I LOVE the PSB and their music has changed my life since I first heard them in 1985, but Christ Alive, please knock that mid 90's home demo production sound on the head. I'm sure there are keyboard sounds on there from the IDOSAC Fan Club Version from 1997! Same old "PSB snare roll" as well...

Another tired sounding PSB production.

[Morse]

Love it - a gentle reminder to anyone thinking autocracy of any kind is worth considering. Released to coincide with Pet Shop Boys headlining a special “This Is Navalny” event in Berlin on June 28.

Not sure what a "mid-90's home demo production sound" is, but for anyone thinking this is tired sounding (it isn't) they should probably remember that Neil and Chris have a history of contributing to causes and special events through their music. It’s not something they’ve done constantly, but when they’ve done it, it’s been purposeful, often bringing a sharp PSB twist to the context. For eg: "What Keeps Mankind Alive?" (1988 - performed to mark 30 years since The Threepenny Opera); “Absolutely Fabulous” (1994 - Comic Relief (UK charity event) All proceeds went to Comic Relief); “It Doesn’t Often Snow at Christmas” (1997: Fan club exclusive and, while not tied to a specific charity, the song was conceived as a seasonal, ironic take on holiday clichés—typical of their dry British wit and social commentary); Work with the Olympics (2012)

Pet Shop Boys have a history of writing/using songs for charity, celebrated fan communities, have contributed to major cultural milestones, and even composed for ballet. It’s not performative charity or opportunism—it’s genuine, carefully curated involvement that fits their ethos.

[psbfannyc]

https://www.petshopboys.co.uk/lyrics/hy ... -dance-mix

If your convictions are worth anything
You should be ready to stand up for them
Power should change hands
The best way to choose a government is through honest and free elections
Everyone needs a fair judiciary
Corruption destroys the state
There should be no censorship
These principles are the future
Putin’s state is unviable
One day we’ll look in it’s place and it will be gone
Victory is inevitable

Free Russia Let Russia be free from the lies of its leaders and its autocracy
Free Russia Let Russia be free From the poison of Putin may it win liberty
Free Russia Let Russia be free from its past and its present and its bleak cruelty
Free Russia Let Russians agree that power is pointless if no one is free
Free Russia Let Russia be free from its pain and its conflicts and its endless enmity
Free Russia Let Russia be free from the lies of its leaders and its autocracy
Free Russia Let Russia be free From the poison of Putin may it win liberty
Free Russia Let poets decree the secret is love for Russia to be free

I hate Putin because he has stolen the last 20 years from Russia
These could’ve been incredible years
The sort of period we’ve never had in our history
We had no enemies
We had peace on all our borders
The price of oil, gas and other natural resources was incredibly high
We earned huge amounts from our exports
Putin could’ve used these years to turn Russia into a prosperous country
All of us could have lived better
Instead, 20 million people live below the poverty line
Parts of the money Putin and his cronies simply stole
Part of it was squandered
They did nothing good for our country
And that is their worst crime against our children and the country’s future

Free Russia Let Russia be free From the poison of Putin may it win liberty
Free Russia Let poets decree the secret is love for Russia to be free
For Russia to be free

[jules]

I like the new track, much better than go west.

[Rorie]

I don't know why people are down on this track. It's typical PSB in sound. And yes the lyrics are political. But I think the part where Neil sings "Free Russia Let Russia be free From the poison of Putin may it win liberty" is beautiful and melodic.

Rorie

[Rorie]

I like the new track, much better than go west.

Huh? Did not see that one coming.

There are aspects of Go West, It Does Not Often Snow at Christmas (4:40 into the Dance Mix), and also Delusions of Grandeur.

The chorus is very good. The spoken part not as much.

It's bipity bopity PSB. Bouncing bass line.

Anyone hearing this will know it is PSB. Neil a tron chorus and all.

[y3potential]

I do like the term "bipity bopity" .

[dbaseboy]

I don't know why people are down on this track. It's typical PSB in sound. And yes the lyrics are political.

It’s that it sounds sub-standard to what we’ve been used to from the boys. At best this is a forgettable b-side. I’m not knocking the sentiment especially as I’ve read mixed reviews on this guy, and don’t really know enough to comment. For PSB to do this type of track and stance is part of the PSB DNA. As a fan since 1986 I don’t have an issue with the subject. But on giving it a few listens, sound wise it’s unfortunately one for the dumper box (along with Winner and Wedding in Berlin).

[daveid]

Well I like it. Yes it employs a number of hackneyed musical cliches but the narration element makes it stand out. And it's a lovely tune. I consider the dance version the definitive one. Glad to get some new music in 2025 as it's a bleak, bleak year.