Blue Songs (album) explained

Blue Songs is the second studio album by American electronic music band Hercules and Love Affair, released on January 28, 2011 by Moshi Moshi Records. The album features guest appearances from Bloc Party's Kele Okereke on the song "Step Up," and also includes vocal contributions from Kim Ann Foxman, Aerea Negrot and Shaun Wright.^[1] The song "It's Alright" is a cover of the Pet Shop Boys' 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, 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".^[2] Barry Walters of Spin 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."^[3]

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Blue Songs.^[4]

Hercules and Love Affair

• Andrew Butler – production
• Kim Ann Foxman – 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

Chart (2011)	Peak position
Austrian Albums Chart[5]	57
Belgian Albums Chart (Flanders)[6]	79
German Albums Chart[7]	75
Swiss Albums Chart[8]	89
UK Albums Chart[9]	105
US Dance/Electronic Albums[10]	25

Release history

Region	Date	Label
Germany[11]	January 28, 2011	Cooperative Music
France[12]	January 31, 2011
United Kingdom[13]		Moshi Moshi
Italy[14]	February 8, 2011	Cooperative Music
Australia[15]	February 18, 2011	Moshi Moshi
United States[16]	August 16, 2011

Notes and References

1. https://www.nme.com/news/hercules-and-love-affair/53385 NME
2. Web site: Hercules And Love Affair – Hercules and Love Affair . . April 28, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121208014345/http://www.metacritic.com/music/hercules-and-love-affair/hercules-and-love-affair . December 8, 2012 .
3. Web site: Walters . Barry . Hercules and Love Affair, 'Blue Songs' (Moshi Moshi) . . August 16, 2011 . April 28, 2014.
4. Blue Songs . CD liner notes . . . 2011 . MOSHICD38.
5. Web site: Hercules And Love Affair – Blue Songs . German . austriancharts.at. Hung Medien . April 28, 2014.
6. Web site: Hercules And Love Affair – Blue Songs . Dutch . Ultratop. Hung Medien . April 28, 2014.
7. Web site: Hercules & Love Affair, Blue Songs . German . . April 28, 2014.
8. Web site: Hercules And Love Affair – Blue Songs . swisscharts.com. Hung Medien . April 28, 2014.
9. Web site: Chart Log UK – Weekly Updates Sales 2011 . The Zobbel Website . April 28, 2014.
10. Hercules & Love Affair – Chart history . Billboard . Prometheus Global Media . April 28, 2014 .
11. Web site: Blue Songs . German . Amazon.de . April 28, 2014.
12. Web site: Blue songs – Hercules And Love Affair . French . . April 28, 2014.
13. Web site: Hercules & Love Affair – Blue Songs . https://archive.today/20140428235025/http://moshimoshimusic.com/portfolio/hercules-and-love-affair-blue-songs/ . dead . April 28, 2014 . . April 28, 2014 .
14. Web site: Hercules and Love Affair – Blue Songs . Italian . IBS . April 28, 2014.
15. Web site: Blue Songs – Hercules and Love Affair . . https://web.archive.org/web/20140429050251/http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/music/dance/blue-songs/632332 . April 29, 2014 . April 28, 2014 . dead . mdy .
16. Web site: Breihan . Tom . Hercules and Love Affair Reveal "Painted Eyes" Video, U.S. Album Release, American Tour . Pitchfork Media . July 12, 2011 . April 28, 2014.