New Toy
New Toy is the first extended play by English-American singer-songwriter Lene Lovich released in 1981 by Stiff Records. It was released outside the United Kingdom in three different versions, one featured six new songs, while the other two contained songs from her previous albums, Stateless and Flex.
The main single "New Toy", in which she makes fun of the consumer society, was released in February 1981 and became successful in charts, peaking at number 19 on the Hot [Dance Club Songs|Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs] number 53 on the UK Singles Chart, and number 29 on the Australian Kent Music Report. It was written by Thomas Dolby, about his new Fairlight CMI synthesizer. He created the song specifically for Lovich after seeing her perform live. It was also used in Italy as the first ending theme for the anime series Attack No. 1 in 1981.
The songs "Special Star" and "Savages" later appeared on her third studio album, No Man's Land and all the songs from the EP appeared on the CD re-issue of the album.
Reception
Barry Lederer reviewed the 12-inch single of "New Toy" for Billboard magazine, comparing Lovich's vocals to Debbie Harry on Blondie's "Rapture". He noted the "fully-orchestrated introduction" which he felt was "more disco than rock in flavor" and highlighted the "catchy tempo" maintained by piano and keyboard, resulting in a "pop feel". The B-side "Cats Away" was described as a "gutsy, riveting electronic instrumental".Track listing
Extended Play
Single
United Kingdom 7-inch single – BUY 97 / Australia 7-inch single – K-8195- "New Toy" – 3:18
- "Cats Away" – 3:41
- "New Toy" – 4:38
- "Cats Away" – 3:41
- "New Toy" – 4:38
- "Cats Away" – 3:41
- "Monkey Talk" – 3:15
- "The Night" – 4:14
- "Too Tender " – 4:13
- "You Can't Kill Me" – 3:40
Charts
Credits and personnel
- Lene Lovich - vocals, songwriter, producer
- Les Chappell - songwriter, producer
- Mike "The Woj" Wojnicki - Inspiration