Tennant: Xenomania is like 'Smash Hits'

Pet Shop Boy Neil Tennant has described working with Xenomania as similar to his time editing Smash Hits.

The singer said that collaborating with producer Brian Higgins reminded him of when he headed up the music magazine in the early 1980s.

"He loves hit records," he told Q magazine, "But he really takes the biscuit. Working at Xenomania reminded me of working at Smash Hits 'cos you've got this house full of people and they're all totally into music.

"They all have comments to make. A truly great atmosphere."

Tennant added that Higgins was supportive but "ruthless" with his opinion on the songs produced, saying: "You get marked [like] on iTunes, where you have a star rating, and you get comments. You get quite chuffed: 'Brian thinks my bridge is brilliant.'"

Pet Shop Boys release new single 'Love etc.' on March 16.