Yaz Split

Alf Moyet this week told NME that the decision to split had been made, although she and Vince were still on good terms and were currently preparing the final mixes of the forthcoming Yazoo album called ‘You And Me Both’.

“Towards the end of the first album the atmosphere was getting heavy and we weren’t enjoying it too much,” Moyet told NME’s Don Watson. “We decided the initial excitement had gone, and we’ve both got other things we want to do.”

It’s understood that Alf will in future work with a loose collective of musicians, while Vince Clarke already has several new songs in preparation.

The duo began operating as Yazoo in January 1982, following Clarke’s departure fro Depeche Mode, whose success Yazoo rapidly outstripped. As well as having four hit singles – ‘Only You’, ‘Don’t Go’, ‘The Other Side Of Love’ and their current chart entry ‘Nobody’s Diary’ – the electro-popsters also had a best selling album with ‘Upstairs At Eric’s’ and enjoyed some success Stateside, where they were obliged to change their name to Yaz.

First published in New Musical Express on May 21st 1983. Reprinted without permission for non-profit use only.