[4] The group started looking for other producers, first working with David Z, with whom they recorded "Some Boys"; however, they felt the song did not fit the direction they wanted to follow, and it remained unreleased until 2013.

[7] Pop Life was a departure from Bananarama's previous albums as it incorporates a much more diverse range of musical genres, including flamenco guitar (a cover of the Doobie Brothers song "Long Train Runnin'" featuring Alma de Noche, a pseudonym for the Gipsy Kings), retro-rock ("Only Your Love", "Outta Sight"), acid house ("Tripping on Your Love"), reggae ("What Colour R the Skies Where U Live?

Other tracks venture deep into the dark tunnel of dreamland: Pulses from an alternate universe underline fizzy computerized harmonies; sleepy voices trying hard to wake up ask 'What color are the skies where you live?' ...

NME reviewer Simon Williams found Pop Life lacking in standout songs despite its "contemporary touches and 'now' club beats", calling it "proof ... that being a slave to the current rhythm means selling yourself short every time.

"[11] Kirsty McNeill of Smash Hits felt that Bananarama had failed to progress musically, and dismissed the record as "more of the same, familiar, squeaky-voiced harmonies over that ever-present, pounding '80's 'disco' beat.

[20] Four mid-charting singles were issued from the album, and following the release of "Tripping on Your Love", Jacquie O'Sullivan left the group, leaving Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward to continue as a duo.