With 2011's Blue Songs running the gamut from full-blown disco and jacking house to the more experimental, Hercules & Love Affair’s new album ‘The Feast Of The Broken Heart’ sees another musical reinvention from ringmaster Andy Butler - delivered by an impeccable new line up.
The ever-revolving collective led house music’s resurgence with club anthem ‘Blind’ in 2008 (Pitchfork’s record of the year), and 2014’s line up is another roll call of exceptionally talented vocalists. BRITS nominee John Grant’s ability for translating hardship into elegance is writ large on ‘I Try To Talk To You’ and ‘Liberty’; Rouge Mary, whose deep, spiritual voice is hewn from a gospel education; Belgian singer Gustaph whose counter tenor takes lead on the single ‘Do You Feel The Same?’ and smoky voiced virtuoso Krystle Warren, who was introduced to Butler by Grant, and sings the provocative ‘My Offence’.
Andy Butler comments: “I wanted nasty basslines, stormy, bleary-eyed sounds, fiery, rough, tough and ragged old school house productions that sounded almost techno. I didn’t want polite, I wanted aggressive.”
This aesthetic coupled with tales of emotional triumph makes for something tough yet soulful. Meaningful house music that IS pop music and can speak to the most musically adroit of tastes.
Kicking off proceedings is the dancefloor single ‘Do You Feel The Same?’, a jacking pop anthem released 14th April, with B-sides ‘Raid’ (a late night dancefloor banger replete with sirens) and ‘Working Miracles’ (a sample led journey into the more experimental side of Hercules & Love Affair).
‘The Feast Of The Broken Heart’ is co-produced by Ha-Ze Factory and industrial stalwart Mark Pistel and released on Moshi Moshi on May 26th.
One of dance music’s finest live acts Hercules & Love Affair are set to announce a full run of European dates, summer shows and festivals.
Hercules And Love Affair LIVE:
12.05.14 Stuttgart, Wagenhallen
13.05.14 Köln, Club Bahnhof Ehrenfeld
14.05.14 Berlin, Gretchen
15.05.14 Leipzig, Conne Island
16.05.14 München, Strom
17.05.14 Offenbach, Hafen 2
12.07.14 Düsseldorf, Open Source Festival
15.-17.08. Hamburg - Dockville Festival
Dimitri Kechagias review: Hercules & Love Affair single Do You Feel The Same is a brilliant acid house early 90's style track that has of course great melodies, harmonies and perfect sing a long lyrics with exceptional singers that touch you deep and make you wonder if this music is better than the overproduced tracks. It's simple, emotional and feel good record perfect for the summer holidays. Andy Butler dub remix is old school 90's house meets techno track with old school pianos, cool organ riffs and great groove that hook you instantly. If you want less vocals this dub mix is for you. Deetron remix is the brilliant underground techno version that djs like Sven Vath can play and erupt the floor. Hypnotic, moody, spacey and absolutely magical mouthwatering production that stands out and recall 90's raves! Derrick Carter goes for the classic house sound with tribal grooves, bouncy funky basslines, chopped vocals and excellent rhythm that will ignite any house floor easily. Dinamo Azary remix applies preaching style vocals upon the early 90's sounds with chunky grooves, funky basslines and plenty of acid drops. Its great track with very strong remixes without doubts. Love it
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