On The Moon

Men Without Hats came out of Montreal’s late 1970s punk and new wave scene, but their sound quickly leaned toward bright synthesizers, crisp drum machines, and Ivan Doroschuk’s unmistakably deep, theatrical voice. Their 1982 debut album, Rhythm of Youth, delivered “The Safety Dance,” a playful, defiant synth-pop hit that became their calling card. The record has plenty beyond the single, with angular keyboards and a slightly strange, art-school atmosphere that still gives it character.

The band followed with Folk of the 80’s (Part III) in 1984, a darker and more streamlined set, before finding another international hit with 1987’s Pop Goes the World. That album’s title track is warmer and more whimsical than “The Safety Dance,” built around a melody that sticks after one listen. Later records such as The Adventures of Women & Men Without Hate in the 21st Century and Sideways moved into broader pop and guitar-driven territory. Men Without Hats remain an easy return for listeners who like their new wave catchy, eccentric, and just a little off-center.