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It makes sense that Hurts—the pop duo composed of multi-instrumentalist Adam Anderson and
vocalist Theo Hutchcraft—would hail from Manchester, England, a city known for producing some of
the most sweepingly romantic and meticulously crafted pop songs of all time. The band’s debut single,
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Photography Sharif
“Better than Love,” bears the same haunting, pristine sheen as Mancunian forbears like New Order and
The Durutti Column, and their music is just as moody and catchy. Anderson’s propulsive synth-scapes
provide an urgent backdrop to Hutchcraft’s vocals—both of which are delivered with the kind of effort-
lessness that can only come from natty Englishmen with impeccable taste and perfect haircuts. At a time
when pop music is often synonymous with mindless consumerism, Hurts’ blend of seamless songwriting
and chic visuals—including music videos that combine the androgynous vibe of Weimar-era Berlin and
melancholy and The neW sleek lines and sharp suits of the early-’80s New Romantics—seeks to elevate the genre. “People have for-
mancunian SynTh-PoP SadneSS gotten that there was a time when musicians made pop music with integrity and an individual sense of
style,” says Hutchcraft. “I’ve always been influenced by musicians who have not been afraid to compete
Theo huTchcrafT (lefT) and adam anderSon (righT) with the big world of pop music, but who can also come at it from their own angle. That’s why we try to
in The library SuiTe aT blakeS hoTel, london, June do everything ourselves. If you write music, you create things that you want to hear as a music fan.” Hav-
2010. On theO: Suit and Shirt: Jil Sander. ring: artiSt’S
Own. ShOeS: boTTega VeneTa. SOckS: PanTherella. On ing recently completed work on their debut album, slated for release this month, the band has been bring-
adam: Shirt, veSt, and trOuSerS: emPorio armani. SOckS:
PanTherella. ShOeS: raf SimonS. hair PrOductS: bumble
ing their expansive vision to festival stages all over Europe this summer. But both members have their
and bumble, including B.B. gel. Fragrance: armani eyes focused on global appeal. “We spent a long time hiding away on purpose. But now it feels exciting to
code by giorgio armani. Styling: PaTrick mackie. hair:
Paul PerciVal/PhamouSarTiSTS.com. makeuP: lauren finally exist and be judged,” says Hutchcraft. “We’ve taken a lot from America, so it’s going to be inter-
ParSonS. Set deSign: daVid WhiTe. PrOductiOn: laura esting to see how the music sits with people there. We’ll do some special performances when we finally
holmeS ProducTion. FaShiOn detailS Page tkt.
>hear mOre OF hurtS On inTerVieWmagazine.com. come over this fall, kind of like a golden handshake to the U.S.” —T. COLE RACHEL