The Police

Synchronicity

First released1983

Synchronicity, The Police's fifth studio album, was recorded primarily at the Church Studios in Montreal and at One on One Recording Studios in Los Angeles between 1982 and 1983. The album was produced by the band members themselves alongside John Augustin, with Hugh Padgham returning as engineer, bringing his distinctive drum sound and production expertise from previous Police records. The recording process was notably fraught with tension, as the three members of the band were experiencing significant creative and personal conflicts during this period. Notable technical choices included the use of synthesizers and drum machines alongside traditional instrumentation, marking a shift toward a more experimental and layered production style compared to their earlier work. Released in June 1983, Synchronicity became a massive commercial success and one of the best-selling albums of the 1980s, eventually leading to the band's initial breakup in 1986.