With the self-titled debut album by Hercules & Love Affair, the band behind Andrew Butler dropped a milestone in the house scene. Critics were absolutely thrilled and it was no surpriese that the album leaped into the top ten annual charts 2008 of Pitchfork. Even the New York Times titled it as the “Breakthrough Album 2008”.
After a successful year that was dominated by an extended tour, Andrew Butler retired a bit to relax and work on new material:
“I wanted a quieter existence when I was not touring.”
Now they are back and with “blues songs” they present their second album. A work that grabs the listener immediately and rub on the dance floor. In Butler’s own words:
“It’s a softer record in some ways, and at other moments a more aggressive record too. (…) It was not just a simple question of recording but, that is progressing. I wanted to explore my voice as a songwriter and use different instruments, ones I would not have used on the first album, like a clarinet, or an acoustic guitar. There’s a very lyrical quality to a lot of the music on this record.“
With the first single “My House” Hercules & Love Affair’s upcoming work is waiting in the wings and offers a more housy, soulful and reminiscences from the late eighties, which make the song relentlessly danceable. It is no wonder that Butler says of himself:
“I’m a dance music fanatic (…)“
[youtube BKM6lhzc74E]
My House (Original Mix)
[audio:http://www.cutthenoize.de/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Hercules-Love-Affair-My-House-Original-Mix.mp3|titles=Hercules & Love Affair – My House (Original Mix)]
My House (Andy Butler Remix)
[audio:http://www.cutthenoize.de/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Hercules-Love-Affair-My-House-Andy-Butler-Remix.mp3|titles=Hercules & Love Affair – My House (Andy Butler Remix)]
My House (Leo Zero Remix)
[audio:http://www.cutthenoize.de/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Hercules-Love-Affair-My-House-Leo-Zero-Remix.mp3|titles=Hercules & Love Affair – My House (Leo Zero Remix)]
My House (Derick Carter Remix)
[audio:http://www.cutthenoize.de/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Hercules-Love-Affair-My-House-Derick-Carter-Remix.mp3|titles=Hercules & Love Affair – My House (Derick Carter Remix)]
My House (Tensnake Remix)
[audio:http://www.cutthenoize.de/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Hercules-Love-Affair-My-House-Tensnake-Remix.mp3|titles=Hercules & Love Affair – My House (Tensnake Remix)]
Listen to the whole album: