
On Ten Crowns, Andy Bell swaps Erasure’s synth-pop majesty for a solo celebration of survival and self-expression blending disco, gospel, and glam with guest turns from Debbie Harry and Sarah Potenza.
Andy Bell, the voice behind Erasure’s euphoric synth-pop anthems, dances solo again on Ten Crowns, a glittering new album mixing dancefloor ecstasy with gospel fire. The ten-track set finds Bell at his most radiant and reverent, channeling joy, soul, and self-expression with the help of longtime friend and Grammy-winning producer Dave Audé. At the heart of Ten Crowns is a dream realized - a powerhouse duet with Bell’s idol, Debbie Harry. The Blondie frontwoman brings her unmistakable snarl to one of the album’s standout tracks, a fiery meeting of legends that’s both electric and effortless. Country-soul rocker Sarah Potenza also lends her voice to the mix, helping bring the record’s gospel-influenced spirit.
Written and recorded with Audé, Ten Crowns builds on the pair’s previous success, most notably their Billboard Dance Chart No. 1 “Aftermath (Here We Go),” but this time with a broader vision. Gospel choirs meet synth loops, disco grooves ride under velvet vocals, and Bell’s unmistakable tenor shines brighter than ever.
As one-half of Erasure - alongside synth pioneer Vince Clarke - Andy Bell helped define a generation of British pop, selling over 25 million albums, racking up five UK No. 1s, and scoring hits that still pulse through clubs and soundtracks around the world. But even outside Erasure’s towering shadow, Bell has carved a compelling solo path. Ten Crowns is his third solo album under his own name, following Electric Blue and Non-Stop, and his most exciting yet. The album’s release comes after decades of genre-defying collaborations, from k.d. lang and Melissa Etheridge to Perry Farrell and Jake Shears. And while Bell’s resume is overflowing with TV competitions, solo theater shows, remixes, activism, the new album feels like a pure transmission from the heart. “These songs are for anyone who’s been through it, who’s survived, who still believes in love and light,” Bell has said.