Earworm: Hurts “Wonderful Life”
December 1st, 2009
Who: Hurts
Sounds like: Not to get lazy here but the Guardian’s Paul Lester said it best: “a boy-duo styled by Helmut Newton, directed by Anton Corbijn and produced by Trevor Horn on a Martin Hannett tip.” Or, in case all of those references mean nothing, silky-smooth, clean-cut, masculine synth pop that refuses to admit the days of New Romanticism ever ended.
RIYL: Pet Shop Boys, Roxy Music, Orlando, Ultravox, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Bronski Beat
Need to know: Hurts is Theo Hutchcraft (vocals), Adam Anderson (synths/guitar). Originally members of both Bureau and Daggers, the two teamed up with Biff Stannard (Kylie, Little Boots), who’s signed them to his Sony-affiliated Major Label label. Richard X (Annie, Sugababes) worked on a few of their songs when they were in Daggers. Theo and Adam are currently finishing their debut album in Sweden.
Track: “Wonderful Life” has the acute tone that made ’80s synth-based pop such a hit. But while retro throwbacks are all too conventional these days, Hurts aren’t afraid to dive deep into the decade without messing up their sharp, fitted suits and neat, angular coifs. Plus, it’s been ages since I’ve heard a band bleed a saxophone so mournfully without the aid of irony. And I firmly believe these guys aren’t at all ironic about anything.
Buy: Nothing yet.
Tags: Hurts
Posted on Tuesday, December 1st, 2009 at 2:59 pm by Cam and is filed under Earworm, The New Music.
