There are many acts from the ’80s who came and went, while some still actively perform to this day. Some also rest on their prior triumphs and release new music sparingly in the present. Then you have Men Without Hats, who have been one of the more productive bands of the ’80s era over the last 15 years.
Initially formed as a Punk Rock band from Montreal, Canada, a few years later they shifted to a more Synthpop sound, with founding Vocalist Ivan Doroschuk joined by his brothers Stefan Doroshuk and Colin Doroschuk on guitar/bass and keyboards. With the Doroschuk Brothers as the band’s classic core, by 1982, they released their debut album, Rhythm of Youth, and by 1983, they had scored a massively successful worldwide top-ten hit with “The Safety Dance.”
A song that has stood the test of time as an ’80s decade-definer, “The Safety Dance” helped Men Without Hats achieve a chart-topping album with Rhythm of Youth and became the foundation for more success. Following ranks in charts with 1984’s Folk of the 80’s (Part III) and 1987’s Pop Goes the World (which featured the massive hit single of the same name), 1989’s The Adventures of Women & Men Without Hate in the 21st Century went gold in Canada quickly.
A band defined by danceable synth-driven melodies and Ivan Doroschuk’s rich, unmistakable, deep singing voice, Men Without Hats remain a key part of the 1980s New Wave movement. Unfortunately, as the ’90s arrived, so did Grunge Rock, almost immediately wiping out any interest radio or MTV had in playing Synthpop or Glam Metal bands. Amid changing times, Men Without Hats tried to expand their sound in 1991 with the album Sideways (which was more of a Rock, guitar-driven record), but sadly it did not sell too well, even though it was quite good. Nonetheless, Men Without Hats would not return with new music until 2003’s No Hats Beyond This Point, before the 2010 reunion, which continues to this day.
Still led by Ivan Dorschuk, the lineups have shifted a bit with the new era of Men Without Hats, but the last 15 years have produced some high-quality music, including 2012’s Love in the Age of War. A time during which they have also played many shows, more new music flowed out in 2021 with the EP Again, Part 1 (which featured covers), followed by the full-length, all-original album Again, Part 2 in 2022. Retaining their classic Synthpop sound, they return in 2025 with another album, On the Moon.
The second release from Men Without Hats in 2025; earlier in the year, they put out their first-ever live album, Men Without Hats Live. Also partaking in some extensive touring across Europe and North America in 2025, the album On the Moon was a late-year release, arriving digitally on November 14th through independent label Shocore Music, in partnership with Ivan Doroschuk’s MWH Entertainment. Consisting of seven tracks, the CD and vinyl formats are reportedly scheduled for release on March 16, 2026, for those seeking more than just a stream. Something to look out for: with this new album, Ivan Doroschuk worked closely with Grammy-nominated Record Producer Brian Howe to create a sound that stays true to Men Without Hats’ legacy but also fits well in the modern era.
An album that also features Ivan Doroschuk’s niece, Sahara Sloan, on keyboards; Sho Murray is on guitar (and has been since 2016); and Adrian White is on drums. With all these factors in place, On the Moon may only be seven songs (six of which are originals, and the last being a cover of John Lennon’s 1971 favorite “Jealous Guy”), but it packs a whole lot into less than 30 minutes of music. Led by the very nostalgic anthem “I Love the ’80s,” the track is catchy, fun, and makes many cool references, including The Cure, The Fixx, and even 1984’s The Terminator. Something shameless (and praise for that), “I Love the ’80s” does remind you of a time when songs were well-written and uplifting.
Beyond this track, the remainder of the record features one solid piece of music after another. This starts with the warm synthesizers and fantastic vocals of “In Glorious Days,” the danceable “If You Try,” the very dreamy “Run Away,” irresistible “Love Me Tomorrow” (featuring fitting backing vocals from Sahara Sloan), and the french sung ballad “À Cause De Toi” (which is very cool since Men Without Hats are French-Canadian). This leads us to a very lovely take on Lennon’s “Jealous Guy,” in which Ivan Doroschuk’s performance suggests a very personal connection.
Overall, Men Without Hats have put together an impressive new collection of songs that should appeal to their fans on many levels. Worth looking into the physical formats (as there will be special packages through the band, including t-shirts and signed copies), Cryptic Rock gives On the Moon 5 out of 5 stars.
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