Drawing inspiration from legends like Sade, Stevie Wonder, and Jamiroquai, Nico de Andrea’s debut album, ‘Love Therapy’ embarks on a journey that marries the soulful depths of pop love songs with the rhythmic pulse of Afrobeat.
The album’s narrative arc delves into personal trials and triumphs, reflecting Nico’s own experiences with love, loss, and the quest for solace. ‘Love Therapy’ stands out for its heartfelt compilation of music, starting from the evocative strains of the piano to the nuanced storytelling in its lyrics; each track offers a unique perspective on the emotional landscapes of relationships.
With contributions from Eli & Fur, Tensnake, Marcus Santoro, and Julia Church, the album showcases Nico de Andrea’s versatility as a producer and the collaborative spirit that defines the modern music industry. Through ‘Love Therapy’, Nico invites us into a world where music is the ultimate form of expression and healing, making it a pivotal release for both Afro House and Melodic Pop fans.
How did you create this album’s unique blend of Afro House and Melodic Pop?
For me, it has always been a challenge to blend the soulful tracks that introduced me to music, like Sade, Stevie Wonder, or Jamiroquai, with club music. I’ve long created my own edits and remixes of classics to bring that melancholic and sentimental feeling into house music.
Later, I started producing my own songs, and the idea of an album quickly emerged. I envisioned it as a hybrid of music, combining pop love songs with Afro or techno rhythms.
Can you describe the different phases of a relationship that the album explores?
I address various personal subjects in this album that correspond to challenging moments, such as separating, being apart from my child, or losing my brother. The intention wasn’t to create a sad album but to confront these topics and possibly find healing through music. Here, we talk about encounters, impossible love, toxic relationships, rebuilding, dreams, and hope – a “Love Therapy.”
“Love Therapy” touches on nostalgia, longing, passion, and hope. How did you incorporate these themes into your music?
Firstly, the piano. Everything starts around the piano for me. I focus primarily on emotion and composition rather than on groove or efficiency. Like many musicians, it’s predominantly sad and nostalgic chords that come naturally despite being a very joyful person in life.
Secondly, songwriting. I lack the desire and ability to address specific pains in public, so I use music to express precisely what I feel.
You mentioned becoming a producer “entirely by accident.” Can you elaborate on how that happened?
I was primarily a DJ before becoming a producer.
My real joy is getting people to dance. I could have stuck to being a DJ for life, but at some point, I couldn’t find the music I truly wanted to play on platforms. In a way, I felt compelled to create my own music to continue deriving a lot of pleasure from mixing.
Finally, could you briefly overview the “Love Therapy” tracklist and any special collaborations you’d like to highlight?
The album consists of eleven tracks. I believe I’ve found a signature sound and a recognizable DNA in my music, yet I didn’t want the songs to sound too similar. I aimed to maintain the same essence and intention while approaching each track differently. We have a vintage, nu disco piece with “One Last Call,” a UK-inspired track reminiscent of Disclosure or Kaytranada with “Like Water,” more exotic tunes like “Corazon,” darker ones like “Avalon,” and dreamier vibes like “Million Times.”
I’m pleased to have collaborated with Dorian Craa, a childhood friend. It was vital for me to nod to my beginnings.
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