It has been nine months since The Naked and Famous released their sophomore LP, In Rolling Waves, and yet, their commanding grip on the world of indie-pop cannot be shaken. The band has earned "household name" status since their first album was released back in 2010, and gargantuan singles like "Young Blood" and "Punching in a Dream" helped this be so. Proving the initial success was no fluke, their follow-up featured the massive hit, "Hearts Like Ours" (released last July), and we've had it stuck in our heads ever since. Here to ensure that it remains within the confines of our auditory cortex is serial remixer and producer in his own right, Brad Hale (Sombear). With this reimagining, Sombear swaps out the almost heavy-handed grandiose of the original in favour of a more modest approach. Alisa Xayalith's unmistakable vocal track is still very much front and centre, but there are no corralling guitars and synth arrangements to propel the song forth. Instead, this remix is built brick by brick as each element is slowly introduced; the echoed reverb effects usher in a sense of vast empty space that is gradually filled with the trip-hop inspired percussion and swelling synths. It's truly an inspired take on an already incredible song, and one we're extremely proud to premiere for you all today.
The Naked and Famous