Initially released in 1983, ‘The Crackdown’ was the band’s fourth album, and first after the exit of founding member Chris Watson. The album fuses their earlier experimental records with the electronic dance-funk sound that would become more prominent within their subsequent releases and includes the magnificent haunting single ‘Just Fascination’.

The significance of ‘The Crackdown’ has grown over the decades, also enlisted in NME’s best albums of 1983.
Cabaret Voltaire were very much ahead of their time, harmonising dance music, techno, dub, house and experimental electronics, making them, without a doubt, one of the most influential acts in electronic music.

“…true, unflinching pioneers of electronic music” – Loud & Quiet
“…The Crackdown alone will serve to change some opinions of the Cab’s tenure in the majors.” – The Quietus
“One of Cabaret Voltaire’s strongest albums…” – All Music