Hurts: Exile
Exile
(Sony Music)
English synthpop duo Hurts smashed into the mainstream in 2010 with their debut album, Happiness, reaching the top ten in several European countries. Exile is a satisfyingly epic sophomore effort.
Nearly every song on Exile sounds massive, due in no small measure to Theo Hutchcraftâs vocal similarity to Museâs Matt Bellamy. However, true to the bandâs name, Hurts are a much darker beast, though no less catchy. For instance, on the opening track, âMiracle,â Hurts declare, âIf you look in my heart you will find no love, no light, no end in sight.â âThe Roadâ goes from frail vocals and quiet accompaniment to loud drums and an atmosphere more suited toward industrial rock than electro. Likewise, the misleadingly named âCupidâ is driven by heavy guitar riffs, featuring lyrics like, âI swear that Iâll make you bleed if you break my heart when I hold you close to me.â
Not all of Exile goes to dark places though. The upbeat, catchy âBlindâ features falsetto that makes it sound interchangeable with beloved British âman bandâ Take That. âSomebody to Die Forâ is quite the ballad, but the lyrics donât quite have the strength of the swelling music.
As far as follow-ups go, Hurts have demonstrated that they have a finger on the pulse of the European pop scene. Hopefully their next effort will have better lyrical content to match the impressive instrumentals they manage between their two members.