Arcadia

Arcadia was a British synth-pop group formed in 1985 by four members of Duran Duran: Simon Le Bon on vocals, Nick Rhodes on keyboards, Roger Taylor on drums, and John Taylor on bass. They released just one album, 'So Red the Rose,' which came out that same year. The record had a moodier, more atmospheric sound than their main band's work, leaning into synth-pop and new wave textures.

Their most recognizable song is 'Election Day,' the album's title track. It became a minor hit and the track people still remember. A few other songs from that record, like 'The Promise' and 'Keep Me In The Dark,' showed the same brooding, keyboard-heavy style. The band didn't last long, partly because balancing it with Duran Duran's schedule was difficult, and partly because synth-pop's commercial peak was fading by the mid-80s.

After 'So Red the Rose,' Arcadia quietly dissolved, and the members returned full-time to Duran Duran. They never made another album. For a side project, it left a surprisingly durable single in 'Election Day,' a song that still turns up on 80s playlists and compilations.