What makes Vanity Kills by ABC notable?

The album received mixed reviews, but its title track became a notable single, showcasing ABC's knack for catchy hooks and witty lyrics. Despite not achieving the same commercial success as its predecessor, Vanity Kills helped solidify ABC's presence in the evolving landscape of 1980s pop music. Released in January 1985, Vanity Kills marked ABC's third studio album, following their successful debut Lexicon of Love. At this point in their career, ABC was firmly established in the new wave scene, exploring more mature themes and a polished sound that would define their evolving artistic identity.

How many songs are on Vanity Kills?

Vanity Kills has 2 tracks, running approximately 5 minutes.

Vanity Kills

ABC · 1985

5 min · 2 tracks · new wave

Synth-driven pop melodies intertwine with sharp, ironic lyrics, encapsulating the excess of the mid-1980s.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Vanity Kills — The title track serves as an incisive commentary on superficiality and fame, blending infectious melodies with biting social critique.
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Judy's Jewels — This track exemplifies ABC's signature sound, combining upbeat rhythms with clever wordplay about materialism and desire.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

45 /100

Lowland

Higher than 5% of albums we've rated

The album showcases catchy melodies and ironic lyrics but lacks strong cohesion across its brief runtime.

What we noticed

The title track features a prominent synth line that drives the melody, while the lyrics employ irony to critique excess.
The second track, 'Judy's Jewels', shifts to a more laid-back tempo with a focus on layered vocal harmonies and subtle instrumentation.

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: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 4/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. 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: Deep Cut — A solid entry in their catalog that showcases their style but isn't widely recognized.
Career context: Released in January 1985, Vanity Kills marked ABC's third studio album, following their successful debut Lexicon of Love. At this point in their career, ABC was firmly established in the new wave scene, exploring more mature themes and a polished sound that would define their evolving artistic identity.
Stylistic neighbors: Duran Duran· Depeche Mode· Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark