What makes Sky Yen by Pete Shelley notable?

'Sky Yen' stands out for its ambitious length and structure, with each part exceeding twenty minutes, reflecting a shift towards more avant-garde forms in a largely commercial era. The album received critical attention for its innovative soundscapes, contributing to Shelley's legacy as a pioneer of new wave music. Released in 1980, 'Sky Yen' was Pete Shelley’s first solo album following his time with the influential punk band Buzzcocks. At this juncture, Shelley was exploring more experimental sounds, diverging from the straightforward punk rock of his earlier work and venturing into the realms of synth-pop and ambient music.