Search - Michael Hensley :: Fire Behind Me

Michael Hensley's new album, Fire Behind Me, marks the continued evolution of an artist and musician. The album's sound recalls '80s synth-pop pioneers such as Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys, and New Order, while also referencing contemporary pop/electronic artists like Goldfrapp, Fischerspooner, Postal Service, and even Madonna. Hensley wrote, performed, and produced Fire Behind Me, and the album was mixed and mastered by BMI award winner Yasuhiko Fukuoka. Hensley's unique sound, which takes hard beats and synths to new heights by overlaying piano and strings, has attracted the attention of music industry watchers. Reviewer Brent Covington of Edge Boston wrote that his new album is an "audio tour through club land, illuminating the highs as well as the lows," while Neufutur Magazine claims that Hensley provides a "current and fresh re-interpretation of what it means to be a dance artist." Covington characterizes the album's evocative cover, shot by photographer Dana Mueller, as a "mere hint of the album's connection to dance music and its nocturnal lifestyle." While the album's topical content is proof of his songwriting skill, the more profound connection is between Hensley, the source of his music, and his audience. He seeks to strike a balance between "specific and general" that enables him to give voice to his own emotions while still creating music that connects with his listeners. For him, there is no holding back: "the process is a sort of 'exorcism' of emotions and feelings within." "I really love electronic music and songs driven by a strong beat, but the genre doesn't always focus on lyrics and melodies as well," Hensley explains. "I wanted to bridge that gap."