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Hercules and Love Affair return with their almost eagerly anticipated second album. This new collection of songs still contains the sinister undercurrent of disco music but mixed with added layers of deep house.
The collective, led by New York based DJ Andrew Butler, spun on to the music scene in 2008 with a line-up that included Anthony Hegarty and 19 foot tall (possibly) Nomi amongst its vocalists, bringing the sleazy and decadent disco party vibe of the city to the mainstream. The supporting cast and record label may have changed, but 'Blue Songs' continues in much the same vain as the first album. Ominous disco basslines collide with some stringed instruments on excellent opener ‘Painted Eyes’ even managing to use up some of Hot Chips left over beeps. ‘My House’, as would be expected, is a deep house space rocket and destined to be a big part of future live sets. It manages to forcibly break into your mind and take up a residency. Kele Bloc Party puts some pop into ‘Step Up’ and his fantastical journey through the realms of dance music trucks on as the Chicago beats jolt around his distinctive vocals. ‘I Can’t Wait’ is an unashamed tribalistic club song and it’s infectious.
The simple fact is Hercules and Love Affair continually produce interesting dance music often with a layer of depth and emotion sometimes missing from the churned out kidney shakers people are used to hearing. But where 'Blue Songs' stumbles is the mid album brake pulling manoeuvre. ‘Blue Song’ is a sub-Beach Boys track, playing like dance music without the dance and seguing into an incantation by the end. ‘Boy Blue’ seems ill fitted to what surrounds it. In no way is it a bad song, just wedged awkwardly into the mix, it might have been better moved to the end of the album once your head has stopped spinning like a disco ball. Butler has intimated his desire to be seen as writing songs beyond the dance floor fillers but the impact of this song is lessened by its placing in the running order. Other songs fall somewhat flat such as album closer and Pet Shop Boys cover, ‘It’s Alright’ and ‘Leonora’. Yet even when falling flat, a bassline, beat or snatched vocal will catch your attention even just momentarily.
'Blue Songs' may not scale the exquisite heights of of their eponymous first album but it still an impressive piece of production that will have your head moving and mindgrapes popping.
