If pop had an elysium – an afterlife for its heroes – the Pet Shop Boys would surely be promised a place. Their 11th album is a peculiar listen, though. Half of it harks back to 1990's reflective masterpiece, Behaviour, with songs about ageing (Invisible) and escape (Breathing Space) exerting poignant pulls. Leaving is even better, a Balearic epic that just happens to be about death and "the context it provides". The other half, however, feels bitter and flippant. In Ego Music, Neil Tennant criticises young celebrities through a classic in-character rap ("I see myself as a building"), before a silly chorus ("me, me, me, me") sinks the whole endeavour. Your Early Stuff compiles taxi drivers' comments towards the pair – a good idea, but not a great song – while Give It a Go begins like a regional TV theme. Kanye West producer Andrew Dawson provides a light LA gloss, but not the heavenly direction the duo deserve.