On
Blue Songs
, the lineup of
Andy Butler
's
Hercules & Love Affair
is filled out with stable member
Kim Ann Foxman
,
Mark Pistel
(
Consolidated
Meat Beat Manifesto
),
Shaun J. Wright
, and
Aerea Negrot
, while several others -- including co-producer
Patrick Pulsinger
and well-suited guest vocalist
Kele Okereke
-- also contribute. The album, as indicated by its title, is subdued compared to the group's self-titled full-length from 2008. Even the busier, uptempo songs seem intended for home listening rather than club play; they're relatively slender and tickle the ears rather than grab the whole body like "Blind." This allows the group's pop element, somewhat overlooked on the debut, to shine through a little more, best heard in the spongy, rippling "Leonora." Some listeners might be so thrown that they'll have to take a considerable portion of the album, including the partially acoustic, wholly atmospheric ballad "Boy Blue," as the work of a completely different group. While it might not pack the punch of the debut and ends on a bum note (where
Sterling Void
's 1989 house classic "It's Alright" is recast as a placid ballad),
is an excellent album in its own right. It's filled with memorable, exceptionally played and produced electronic pop songs that are off-center yet targeted squarely at the heart. [The U.S. version adds three bonus tracks, including a cover of
the xx
's "Shelter," as well as a second disc of remixes.] ~ Andy Kellman