What makes Lipgloss by Pulp notable?

The track became a staple of the Britpop scene and helped solidify Pulp’s presence on the UK charts, peaking at number 29. Its success contributed to the band's growing reputation, leading to their breakthrough album Different Class just two years later. Lipgloss was released in November 1993, marking Pulp's transition to a wider audience after their earlier albums. This single followed their critically acclaimed album His 'n' Hers from the same year, positioning them as emerging leaders in the Britpop movement.

How many songs are on Lipgloss?

Lipgloss has 3 tracks, running approximately 18 minutes.

Lipgloss

Pulp · 1993

18 min · 3 tracks · alternative rock

An infectious blend of jangly guitars and catchy hooks, capturing the playful essence of early '90s Britpop.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Lipgloss — This title track showcases Pulp's characteristic wit and charm, blending sharp lyrics about youth culture with an irresistible melody that captures the quintessential Britpop sound.
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Deep Fried in Kelvin — At nearly ten minutes long, this track experiments with structure and dynamics, illustrating Pulp's artistic range while maintaining a satirical edge that critiques modern life.
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You’re a Nightmare — This song highlights Pulp’s knack for storytelling, weaving dark humor into its narrative about an unsettling relationship, showcasing their lyrical depth and distinctive style.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The single showcases Pulp's early Britpop sound with catchy hooks and varied song structures.

What we noticed

The title track features a prominent jangly guitar riff that drives the song, while the verses alternate between spoken and sung vocals.
The second track, 'Deep Fried in Kelvin', employs a more experimental structure with abrupt tempo changes and layered instrumentation.
The final track, 'You’re a Nightmare', contrasts the previous two with a slower tempo and a more introspective lyrical approach.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This single marked Pulp's transition to a wider audience, enhancing their reputation.
Themes: British suburban life· clever wordplay
Career context: Lipgloss was released in November 1993, marking Pulp's transition to a wider audience after their earlier albums. This single followed their critically acclaimed album His 'n' Hers from the same year, positioning them as emerging leaders in the Britpop movement.
Stylistic neighbors: Suede· Blur· The Auteurs