Free Download: Antonine & H1987 - Running Up That Hill (Kate Bush Cover)

Kate Bush's Running Up That Hill is equally as complex as it is direct and urgent. It sounds like a gem and of course was a major smash when released in 1985. It's stirring and oh so wonderful to say the least. This dark dream pop take by French duo Antonine & H1987 goes its own way and creates magic in a whole new realm. It gleams and pulsates like a shell of a secret longing to be forgotten. Like sand at the bottom of a well, aching to be seen. Like gold shining with a muted glow. The vocals are dreamy and floats in a night sky, with the sparse production surrounding it like the energy of a brooding animal waiting in the shadows. Top marks! 

Premiere: Giorgio Moroder Feat. Britney Spears - Tom's Diner (Suzanne Vega Cover)

Giorgio Moroder has teamed up with Britney Spears to cover Suzanne Vega's ultimate classic Tom's Diner for his 74 is the new 24 album. First of all - WOW - secondly - how would you even do the original justice? The original written in 1981 was first released in 1984 and then got a major release in 1987 as the album opener on Suzanne's second album, landmark release, Solitude Standing. The acapella track was then in 1990 remixed by DNA and turned into a club smash. Some fun facts about this song is that the real Tom's Diner was later fictionalized in Seinfeld as the hangout Monk's Cafe. PLUS - and this major - it's also called the 'mother of the mp3' as Karlheinz Brandenburg, one of the contibutors to the mp3 creation, used the original version of Suzanne's acapella to make sure the compression was working. We love that this new version will bring this rich history into a new crowd - but we can't help to think that we'd have LOVED a new Moroder/Spears track instead of a cover. Imagine a true SMASH of epic proportions with them at the helm. This isn't a smash but not super bad either, and it's nice to hear a Spears vox not totally beaten to death, haha. Listen below; thoughts? 

Stream: Jessie Ware - That's All I Want From You (Nina Simone Cover)

Love that awesome Jessie Ware has done a live cover of legendary Nina Simone for BBC Radio 2! Both are a singer's singer so it's literally perfection. That's All I Want From You - taken from the 1978 album Baltimore is a heartfelt ballad with lush strings and a piano only a Simone album could have since she was so brilliant at playing it. The lyrics are hopeful with a streak of sorrow and sound so good when both sing it. Since Nina was 20 years into her game in '78 and was 45 y.o her voice has a depth that only living life can bring. The Ware version sounds like a brilliant b-side from a 70's vinyl single and her voice is so powerful and sounds so sincere. Top marks! ♡

Premiere: Tracey Thorn - Under The Ivy (Kate Bush Cover)

Tracey Thorn has impeccable taste in music so no wonder that BBC Radio 4 asked her to be their guest editor. For this session, which aired last night, she's recorded Kate Bush's Under The Ivy, the b-side to Running Up That Hill, as a tribute. Her life partner Ben Watt is on piano and we get a new string arrangement written by famous conductor Nick Ingman, known for his work with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and major Oscar winning films. Um, yes - impeccable taste it is, haha. Alsooo, this version is out as a single release today! We love the added warmth that Tracey's voice always brings, plus how this take is more subdued in true Thorn style. It really adds a new dimension to the original and what more can one ask really apart from a duet with Kate and Tracey from and center. Can you even imagine?! Read here what TT has to say about her cover and some thoughts about KB as an artist. Enjoy!   

Free Download: Renato Enoch - Habits (Stay High) [Tove Lo Cover]

Tove Lo has had a true monster sleeper hit this year with her Habits (Stay High) reaching #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 more than a year after its original release. Also, she's the highest charting Swede in the US since Ace of Base hit #1 with The Sign in 1994. Wow! We've had this stellar Oliver Nelson remix on absolute repeat in all its club sound glory! 21 y.o Brazilian singer/songwriter/designer/dreamer Renato Enoch removes the party anthem feel of the Lo original and brings out the gorgeous sadness with his amazing voice and piano playing. The sadness is palpable and shimmers with that light only longing for a lost love can bring. It sounds a lil' like Adele's Someone Like You now and that of course is top marks! Bem feito Renato! Click here for the video!