Illuminated

After releasing the single ‘Sunday’ in February, Hurts announce the release of a Double A Side single with the re-release of ‘Better Than Love’ and new single ‘Illuminated’, both from their album ‘Happiness’, on 9th May. Their debut ‘Happiness’ entered the UK album charts at #4 with over 25,000 sales making Hurts the UK’s fastest selling new band of 2010. They have now sold over 500,000 albums worldwide and in the UK, the album has been officially certified Gold. Throughout Europe, Hurts also earned 14 top 10 iTunes positions including #1s in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Finland and Luxembourg, and the album is now gold in the UK, Germany, Russia, Austria, Finland and Switzerland and Platinum in Poland. ‘Better Than Love’ was released as the bands first major single in May last year and has fast become a live favourite. Stated by Hurts as “dance music for depression”, ‘Better Than Love’ is an upbeat yet dark single which will be released as a Double A Side alongside ‘Illuminated’. In stark contrast to ‘Better Than love’, ‘Illuminated’ is a slow and soft song that leads into a dramatic, emotive chorus. Their single ‘Wonderful Life’ has already had over 14 million online plays and in Europe has had great success with a #1 airplay record in 5 countries to date including Germany, where the single has now sold over 400,000 copies and is certified Gold. Their success has also been matched in Poland where ‘Wonderful Life’ is also a Gold selling single. Hurts ended 2010 with a bang after winning awards both in the UK and internationally. In Germany, they scooped the prestigious award for ‘Best International Newcomer’ at the Bambi’s (the German BAFTAs) and in the UK, The Sun awarded them the award for ‘Best Bizarre Session of 2010’. They also recently won the award for ‘Best New Band’ at the NME Awards and are nominated for Best International Newcomer at the Echo Awards in Germany next week.