A cover of the Gloria Jones classic, “Tainted Love” finds a new perspective from Saint Louis, an artist based in the south of France. A natural percussive pulse, twinkling keys, and shimmering acoustics complement an understated vocal lead. “I can’t sleep at night,” plays spaciously, into the track’s lovably familiar central hook. Whereas the synth-fronted take from Soft Cell gave new recognition to the classic, this version from Saint Louis shows a different, more laid-back changeup instead.
Several production choices, like the elegant infusion of bouncy piano alongside relaxing acoustics, makes for an interesting twist on the classic. The backing vocal touch during the “I don’t pray that way,” sequence plays with added haunting allure. The track represents the finale to a mini-series of video covers, previously including covers of Hozier’s “Take Me to Church” and Jane Birkin’s “Ex-fan des sixties.” Watch the video for “Tainted Love” below:
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This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of December 2022’ Spotify playlist.
