''Blue Songs'' is the second studio album by American
electronic music
Electronic music is a genre of music that employs electronic musical instruments, digital instruments, or circuitry-based music technology in its creation. It includes both music made using electronic and electromechanical means ( electroac ...
band
Hercules and Love Affair, released on January 28, 2011 by
Moshi Moshi Records
Moshi Moshi Records is a small London-based record label founded in 1998 by Adrian Pike, Michael McClatchey and Stephen Bass. The label has released music by bands including Lykke Li, Fimber Bravo, Bloc Party, Hot Chip, Late of the Pier, Hot ...
. The album features guest appearances from
Bloc Party
Bloc Party are an English Rock music, rock band, composed of Kele Okereke (lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards, sampler), Russell Lissack (lead guitar, keyboards), Justin Harris (bass guitar, keyboards, saxophones, backing vocals) and Loui ...
's
Kele Okereke on the song "Step Up," and also includes vocal contributions from Kim Ann Foxman, Aerea Negrot and Shaun Wright. The song "It's Alright" is a cover of the
Pet Shop Boys
The Pet Shop Boys are an English synth-pop duo formed in London in 1981. Consisting of primary vocalist Neil Tennant and keyboardist Chris Lowe, they have sold more than 50 million records worldwide, and were listed as the most successful duo i ...
' 1988
song of the same name, originally recorded and released by Sterling Void and Paris Brightledge in 1987.
Critical reception
''Blue Songs'' received generally positive reviews from music critics. At
Metacritic
Metacritic is a website that review aggregator, aggregates reviews of films, TV shows, music albums, video games and formerly, books. For each product, the scores from each review are averaged (a weighted arithmetic mean, weighted average). M ...
, which assigns a
weighted average rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 68, based on 28 reviews, which indicates "generally favorable reviews".
Barry Walters of ''
Spin
Spin or spinning most often refers to:
* Spinning (textiles), the creation of yarn or thread by twisting fibers together, traditionally by hand spinning
* Spin, the rotation of an object around a central axis
* Spin (propaganda), an intentionally b ...
'' wrote that "''Blue Songs'' prevailing mood is deep indigo, not ultraviolet, yet that darkness heightens and complicates. By shunning regulation house fierceness, Butler and crew offer gentle nocturnal sacrament."
Track listing
Personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of ''Blue Songs''.
;Hercules and Love Affair
* Andrew Butler – production
*
Kim Ann Foxman
Hercules and Love Affair is a dance music project created by American DJ, singer, composer, musician and producer Andy Butler in 2004. Consisting of a rotating cast of performers and musicians, the band work within the genres of house music, dis ...
– performer, musician
*
Aérea Negrot – performer, musician
*
Mark Pistel – additional production, co-production, mixing ; performer, musician
* Shaun J. Wright – performer, musician
;Additional personnel
* Mike Aaberg – performer, musician
* Rich Armstrong – performer, musician
* Marco Braca – grooming
* Sheldon Brown – performer, musician
* Marcelo Burlon – creative director
* Crane – design
* Simon Davey – mastering
* Lynn Farmer – performer, musician
* Jose Flores – performer, musician
* Raffaele Grossi – assistant photography
* Evan Herring – performer, musician
* Matteo Montanari – photography
* Murdoch – marble engraving
*
Kele Okereke – performer, musician
* Patrick Pulsinger – co-production, mixing ; performer, musician
* Jakob Schneidewind – performer, musician
* Martin Siewert – performer, musician
* Jeremy Turner – performer, musician
* Marty Wehner – performer, musician
* Morgan Wiley – performer, musician
Charts
Release history
References
{{Authority control
2011 albums
Hercules and Love Affair albums
Moshi Moshi Records albums