Soft Cell is an English synth-pop duo that emerged in the early 1980s, composed of vocalist Marc Almond and instrumentalist David Ball. They are best known for their innovative blend of electronic music and soul, epitomized in their hit cover of "Tainted Love," which became the best-selling British single of 1981. Their music is characterized by synthesizer-driven melodies, Almond's emotive vocals, and often dark, introspective lyrics. Soft Cell's influence extends to modern synth-pop and electronic music genres, their pioneering work in the synth-pop genre helping to popularize the use of electronic instruments in pop music.