by Sean Black
For nearly four decades, Andy Bell has been the luminous voice at the heart of Erasure, giving synth-pop its pulse of joy and longing. Songs like “A Little Respect” and “Sometimes” remain shimmering staples of dance floors and radio alike, carried by his soaring tenor and fearless openness. But Bell is not one to rest solely on nostalgia. With his latest solo album, Ten Crowns, and a new tour he’s turning toward a more personal, expansive vision of what pop can be.
Ten Crowns is at once intimate and theatrical, drawing from Bell’s rich history while pushing his artistry forward. The record mixes buoyant melodies with reflective undertones, a balance he’s been refining since stepping outside of Erasure with projects like Electric Blue and the Torsten series. “I always like to deliver some kind of hope when singing,” Bell tells PureHoney. “It is very healing and when you can mix it into your songs, it’s like baking a magical cake.”
That sense of uplift, paired with honesty, has long defined Bell’s artistry. Reflecting on Erasure’s breakthrough hits, he says, “At the time of recording them we obviously had no idea whether the songs would resonate or not, but we had a really good feeling about them. … There are certain songs that become your calling cards and these two [A Little Respect and Sometimes] are examples of that.”
Bell is taking his standbys into fresh territory, performing with a Nashville four-piece band led by Grammy-winning producer Dave Audé. “We have reconstructed brand new versions of the old hits which sound more up to date, with Vince’s blessing,” he says, referring to his Erasure mate Vince Clarke. “My confidence is soaring and it’s infectious for the audiences.”
Bell also leans into his role as a truth-teller, embracing vulnerability as part of the job. “I believe any performer is kind of a conduit and creature of the night,” he says. “You have to be vulnerable, naked, and honest.” With the new album, Bell provides new proof that pop can still be cathartic, courageous and beautifully, defiantly human.
Andy Bell performs 7pm Friday and Saturday, October 10 and 11, at Revolution Live in Ft. Lauderdale. andybell.com ~ Abel Folgar
