Following a string of releases on Amsterdam, New York, and London-based label Armada Music, French musician, DJ, and producer Nico de Andrea is excited to announce the January 26, 2024 release of his debut album, ‘Love Therapy.’
A sonic melting pot of melodic pop and Afro house with melancholic undertones, ‘Love Therapy’ is inspired by personal experiences of impossible love, conflict, and separation while touching on themes of nostalgia, longing, passion, and hope that permeate the twelve tracks. The album explores the different phases of a relationship and the coping mechanisms to get through hard times…from the fragility of ‘One Last Call’ to the darkness of ‘Start The Fire’ to finally finding confidence and peace of mind with ‘Dreamin’ and ‘Million Times.’
To some, a debut album might signal the early stages of a career for an artist. But for Nico de Andrea, ‘Love Therapy’ is the culmination of a career spanning almost two decades. The multifaceted talent has been building a career in music since the tender age of 14. Nico’s love for house music stems from being a young boy fascinated by artists such as Larry Levan, Masters at Work, and David Morales.
Upon learning how to DJ, Nico went on to become one of a few people in his hometown playing the genre, performing in vinyl bars such as the now-closed ‘The Living Room’ in Cannes, where Nico’s father was legally required to wait for him in front of the bar as Nico was still a minor. The music resonated strongly with the people on the dance floor, and Nico spoke to the people dancing and connected with them on a personal level, setting typical DJ ego aside. This unique approach still stands today despite Nico playing to larger crowds globally in clubs and festivals.
Fiercely inspired by the records that got such great response in the vinyl bar, Nico started experimenting with layering Afro and Latin rhythms over house records and adding melancholic piano, resulting in new sounds that would later evolve into his trademark sound. “I was becoming a producer entirely by accident,” says Nico.
Following years of honing his production skills, Nico started sharing his original productions with the world via the Paris-based label Unity Records, much to the appeal of tastemakers such as Black Coffee, Pete Tong, Solomun, and Keinemusik. Recent tracks like “Start The Fire” with Eli & Fur and “Ethnica” with Vannety have been widely supported by the world’s elite DJs, including David Guetta, Diplo, Armin van Buuren, Oliver Heldens, John Summit, Nora En Pure, Bob Sinclar, and Claptone, to name a few.
With this album, melancholy has a deeper meaning. Amidst a dark period, which saw the loss of his older brother, Nico was separated from his son after Nico and his partner parted ways. Nico sought the studio as his safe space and coping mechanism, pouring emotion into every track he created, exploring each phase of his experience. The result was a collection of tracks collectively labeled ‘Love Therapy’ that represent the journey he went on, told by music.
‘Love Therapy’ is available January 26 on Armada Music
Nico de Andrea
‘Love Therapy’
Tracklist
Nico de Andrea & Tensnake feat Lola Melita – One Last Call
Nico de Andrea feat Amira Eldine – Like Water
Nico de Andrea feat Emria – Corazon
Nico de Andrea & Marcus Santoro feat Joyia – Nowhere
Nico de Andrea & Vanetty – Ethnica
Nico de Andrea feat Julia Church – Worst Case Scenario
Nico de Andrea & Dorian Craft – Avalon
Nico de Andrea feat Darla Jade – My Everything
Nico de Andrea & Eli & Fur – Start The Fire
Nico de Andrea – Dreamin’ 514
Nico de Andrea feat Sophia Bel – Million Times
