Hurts – Miracle

Summary: Manchester duo return with this ominous and anthemic gem. A sign of momentous things to come for 'Exile'.

4.5

One of the biggest breakthroughs for British Music, Hurts return this year with the hugely anticipated second album ‘Exile’. After the momentous success of ‘Happiness’ across the UK and Europe, Theo and Adam locked themselves away in a Berlin studio, became doomful once more and penned what is sure to be an incredible second LP.

We first got a taste of the boys’ efforts in the shape of insanely dark teaser track ‘The Road’ which is about a car crash in Siberia, and show’s the true extent of Hurts’ mania and extremity when they create music. First single ‘Miracle’ was played on Zane Lowe’s show in the new year, it is Muse sized without becoming over complicated or bombastic for the sake of showmanship. It has a simple guitar riff accompanied by those ominous vocals that Theo Hutchcraft is now famous for, backed by a chorus who bellow ‘I was hoping for a miracle’.

The track is perilous without becoming gloomy and anthemic without becoming too grand, I would compare it to White Lies meets Muse, but Hurts do not need comparison, they exist completely on their own. They are carving a completely new genre within British music and their innovation and creativity is what has awarded them so well in the past and helped them gain the legions of fans they now have all over Europe.

The live potential for this song is mind blowing, I witnessed Hurts play a packed out tent at 2011′s V Festival and they are one of the most atmospheric and skilled live bands I have ever seen. Tracks such as ‘Stay’ and ‘Evelyn’ almost collapsed under their own size, Theo becomes so engaged with his music and takes the audience through a dark path of sorrow and torture where you become immersed at the pain and vigor within the lyrics. Whilst 80′s style dance tracks such as ‘Better Than Love’ offer light relief, without moving from the somber subject matter.

‘Miracle’ feels as though the boys are showing the world they have evolved and improved on an already winning formula. This track is the largest, most complex piece they have created and if the rest of the album follows suit we will be preparing for a masterpiece.

You can see the haunting video for ‘Miracle’ below.