More relevant than ever? Reviewing Bronski Beat "Forbidden Fruit (The Age Of Consent Remixed"

Bronski Beat's 1984 debut The Age Of Consent mixed foreboding dark electro with Jimmy Somerville's unique countertenor and blunt lyricism to paint a simultaneously bleak and uplifting picture of homosexual life in the UK of the 1980s. With producers Steve Bronski and Larry Steinbachek having passed away, 2025's remix accompaniment Forbidden Fruit represents what London Records have called a "fitting finale" for the album, but do these guest renditions and unearthed outtakes make for a suitable swansong? THE ARTIST: Bronski Beat: https://bronskibeat.bandcamp.com/music The Age Of Consent: https://bronskibeat.bandcamp.com/albu... Forbidden Fruit: https://bronskibeat.bandcamp.com/albu... THE REMIXERS: Superchumbo:   / superchumbo   Neil Tennant: https://subrosalabel.bandcamp.com/alb... The Knocks: https://www.theknocks.com/ Perfume Genius: https://perfumegenius.bandcamp.com/music Gareth Jones: https://wormholeworld.bandcamp.com/al... Roland Faber (RSF): https://open.spotify.com/artist/48lJZ... Marc Almond: https://www.marcalmond.co.uk/ Planningtorock: https://planningtorock.bandcamp.com/ RRG Support this channel: https://ko-fi.com/toxicshamesquadron Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/ianruffledbrickslane Instagram:   / toxicshamesquadron   Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/toxicshamesq... Twitch (DJing):   / toxicshamesquadron   Twitch (Gaming):   / ruffledbricks   0:00 Intro 1:49 Electropop and 'happy melancholy' 2:43 Smalltown Boy 6:23 Why? 9:19 Screaming 10:26 The broader political songs 13:22 The cover versions 16:59 Verdict on The Age Of Consent 18:27 Forbidden Fruit 18:56 Why? (Superchumbo & Neil Tennant) 21:19 Smalltown Boy (The Knocks & Perfume Genius) 23:34 Smalltown Boy (Planningtorock) 25:50 Junk (Gareth Jones/Electrogenetic) 27:06 Love And Money/Need A Man Blues (RSF Metropol) 28:43 I Feel Love (Ultramix) 31:12 Johnny Remember Me (A Jazz Affair) 32:28 No More War (Extended Remix) 33:02 I Feel Love (Promo Dub Mix) 33:55 Screaming (Stripped Mix) 35:23 Verdict on Forbidden Fruit 38:21 Outro