Hurts

**Hurts** is a British synthpop duo formed in Manchester in 2009 by Theo Hutchcraft (vocals) and Adam Anderson (keyboards). The band quickly gained international attention for their melancholic, electronic-influenced sound, which is heavily influenced by 1980s new wave and synthpop. Their music combines dark, emotional lyrics with catchy, atmospheric melodies, often supported by dramatic synthesiser sounds and orchestral elements. Hurts are known for their elegant, minimalist style, which characterises both their music and their visual aesthetics.

Their debut album *Happiness* (2010) brought them great success, especially with the hits *Wonderful Life* and *Stay*. The album reached high chart positions in Europe and made Hurts a permanent fixture on the international pop scene. Their music videos and live performances are often characterised by stylish, almost theatrical staging that underlines the emotional depth of their songs. Themes such as love, loss, pain and longing are at the centre of their lyrics and appeal to a wide audience.

In the following years, Hurts released several albums, including *Exile* (2013), *Surrender* (2015) and *Faith* (2020), which further developed their melancholic-romantic style. Despite occasional musical experiments with heavier sounds or more optimistic pop elements, the characteristic mix of darkness and hope in their music has remained intact. Hurts have established themselves as one of the outstanding bands in the synthpop genre and continue to delight fans worldwide with their unmistakable style and emotional depth.