"Architecture & Morality" marks the third studio album by English electronic outfit Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), hitting shelves on November 6, 1981, courtesy of Dindisc. Drawing inspiration from religious music, the band embarked on a sonic exploration, incorporating intricate choral samples, the Mellotron, and other innovative instruments to cultivate a richer, more emotive soundscape. Longtime OMD collaborator Peter Saville, along with associate Brett Wickens, crafted the album's artwork, while its title pays homage to David Watkin's book, Morality and Architecture.
 
Upon its release, Architecture & Morality swiftly ascended to number three on the UK Albums Chart and secured top-10 placements across Europe. While initial reviews were lukewarm, the album garnered increasing acclaim from critics and fellow musicians in subsequent years. It has since been hailed as a seminal work of the synth-pop genre, featuring prominently in retrospectives of the best albums of 1981 and the broader decade. Notably, Architecture & Morality has earned a place in various "all-time" lists, including the esteemed tome 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
 
Commercially, the album proved a triumph, surpassing four million copies in sales and spawning three international hit singles – "Souvenir," "Joan of Arc," and "Maid of Orleans" – collectively amassing eight million copies sold. OMD have revisited the album multiple times with tours dedicated to its celebrated repertoire.