Part 6/8:
Behind the scenes, personal issues loomed. The persistent drug use and the tensions with their label created an environment where both members found it challenging to sustain their creative synergy. Their second full-length album, The Art of Falling Apart, exemplified this struggle, garnering mixed reviews and failing to capture the public's imagination like their debut.
By the mid-1980s, Soft Cell’s remedy for their struggles mirrored the tension within the band: a lack of communication. Mark’s infamous dramatic announcement of retirement came as a surprise to Ball, who stumbled upon the news through the media. This marked the end of an era for Soft Cell, leading to their eventual disbandment in 1984.