Different Class – Pulp

Different Class, released in October 1995, is the fifth studio album by Pulp. The album fuses theatrical songwriting, sharp social commentary, and lush arrangements into a Britpop landmark. Jarvis Cocker’s lyrics probe class, sexuality, and aspiration with wit and bite, while the band’s instrumentation—drums, guitars, keys, occasional strings—supports both drama and intimacy. Standout tracks like “Common People,” “Mis-Shapes,” and “Disco 2000” exemplify how Pulp balance catchy hooks with incisive storytelling. From its dynamics to its sequencing, the album feels carefully composed yet emotionally immediate. Upon its release, Different Class elevated Pulp from cult status to mainstream acclaim. It captured the zeitgeist of mid-’90s Britain—its class tensions, cultural contradictions, and social longing—without sacrificing musicality. Over time, it’s widely regarded as one of the defining albums of the Britpop era, influencing both the aesthetics and language of later British alternative music. Its blend of ambition, vulnerability, and pop smarts remains compelling decades later.

Reviews

“On 1995’s Different Class, Pulp … became pop in its most democratically widespread sense.” – Pitchfork

“Pulp nail the pop/rock formula to near perfection … the themes of Different Class aren’t necessarily cheerful — in fact they’re mostly very cynical — yet the album sounds like a celebration from beginning to end.” – Audioxide