Tim: Astræa, Greek goddess of innocence, and stage name of a British singer who seems to have specialised in, erm, Lloyd’s Bank adverts. Here’s this, from the current one, and while I don’t normally have much time for John Lewis-ification of dance tracks, take a listen.
Tom: John Lewis-ification. You’re not wrong. I’m still frustrated that Calum Scott’s Dancing on my Own beat the original.
Tim: Ugh, please don’t remind me. I hope you’ll like this more.
Tim: I think it helps that the vocal in the original was already fairly understated, because rather pleasingly this doesn’t even slightly offend me.
Tom: You’re right: it almost feels like a remix (de-mix? unplugged?) rather than a cover version. This is reinterpreting a song done right. The string section helps, mind.
Tim: Right – when that beautiful, wonderful, lovely collection of violins explodes in for the chorus, the song reaches whole new heights, and I’m almost preferring it. Proof, as we suggested, that piano ballads can be absolutely fabulous, just as long as there’s a bit more than piano there. Which might ruin the name a bit, I don’t know. Either way, this is entirely delightful, and I adore it.