A-HA.

A-ha is often summed up in one indestructible melody, but behind that hit lies a band with a sense of melancholy and spaciousness. Morten Harket's voice can carry a grand chorus without singing out the vulnerability.

The interesting thing about A-ha often lies in the difference between the clear exterior and the feeling behind it. A synthesizer can make a chorus shine, while the vocals retain a certain uncertainty. On vinyl, you can hear that shift between the songs as well: a larger production is paired with a more intimate song. As a result, their albums deserve more attention than just the well-known singles.

Those who wish to listen further will find a later, thoughtful side on Minor Earth, Major Sky. Time And Again, on the other hand, offers a route through the songs with which their melodic talent became known.

The Eighties shows how synths opened up a new pop landscape. A-ha moves within this landscape between synthpop and pop, with songs that have survived the test of time.

Depeche Mode and New Order take a darker path; Pet Shop Boys pairs electronics with sharp pop. Through David Bowie and Coldplay, you hear how such melodies could travel further.