Christmas comes with its own set soundtrack.
Running from shop to shop, it can often feel like the British high street has been supplied with one de facto CD compilation. So it's nice when someone plays around with a classic, finding new space to breathe in an often claustrophobic artistic environment.
Take 'White Christmas'. Reputedly the best selling single of all time, it's tale of longing for a traditional, family Christmas brims with a rare optimism that is difficult to replicate in this cynical, post-everything age.
Which is why Stubborn Heart haven't tried to replicate this. Instead, the duo have focussed on the aching melancholy modern listeners seem to find in the song, that sense of a place lost to us, a picture postcard fading into a blank sheet of paper.
Retaining the essential facets of the song – those famous lyrics, for example – Stubborn Heart wrap their tentacles around the rest. All fractured electronics, and sighing vocals this is a Christmas soundtrack which could only be made in 2012.
Listen to it now… Grab it HERE.
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Stubborn Heart are set to release their new single 'Better Than This' in February.
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Previewed on Lauren Lavern’s show earlier last week Stubborn Heart’s take on ‘White Christmas’ is the first track to feature in BBC 6Music’s MPFree Festive Giveaway. The track is now up on Lauren’s blog and available to download for free for the next 7 days – http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/laurenlaverne/
