And One formed as a German synth duo in 1989. And although the band has added one member here and lost one member there along the way, not a whole lot has changed in regards to its new wave, synthpop and industrial dance sound. But more than 20 years after its inception, And One is finally ready to S.T.O.P. No, the band hasn’t called it quits. S.T.O.P. is the name of its latest album, out today.

From celebratory singles such as “Shouts of Joy,” “Memory” and “S.T.O.P. the Sun” to the more darkwave dance sounds of “Killing the Mercy,” “You Without a Me,” “Don’t Get Me Wrong” and “The 4,” And One is still channelling the synth sounds of Depeche Mode, the Pet Shop Boys and Front 242. Sometimes upbeat and joyous, but often melancholy and somber in sound and subject matter, S.T.O.P.‘s electronic groove is exactly what has kept And One fans dancing and brooding over the course of its ten previous albums.

But don’t let the darker sounds and song titles fool you. “Everybody Dies Tonight” and “No Words” are atmospheric instrumental pieces with an ominously enjoyable feel. And while one might expect “The End of Your Life” to be a depressing song about death and loss, it’s more of a cautionary tale and motivational piece about accomplishing your goals before time runs out.

Though I still haven’t figured out what the acronymic album title S.T.O.P. stands for, I don’t get the impression that it means And One will be ceasing to create the synthpop sounds it has become known for. If anything, it sounds like the band could keep on dancing for another couple of decades before calling it quits.

For more information, go to www.andone.de.