The National have had an impressive year. Critics heaped praise upon their new album, High Violet, which debuted in the top 10. They’ve opened speaking engagements for President Obama and filled venues across the country. So it makes sense that folks would be clamoring to cover their songs. We’ve already heard covers of High Violet cuts “Sorrow” and “Anyone’s Ghost.” Today, we present a cover of “Runaway” by the French artist 835. Full disclosure: unlike the other two, we may have had something to do with nudging the artist towards this one.
835 covering The National isn’t something you’d necessarily think would work. 835’s music grounds itself in the electronic dance world and, while it can be a bit dark, doesn’t even begin to reach the level of melancholy that drives The National. Thankfully, they don’t try to out-morose anyone on “Runaway.” Instead, they transform it to fit their sound. Via effects-heavy acoustic guitar and plenty of synthesizer, the track definitely moves closer to the dance floor than the lonely end of the bar.
“I love slow and melancholic songs,” 835’s Sebastian told us. “You can’t beat the poignancy of the original, [but you can] create a different emotion. So I did, and sang it myself because Robert Smith was too busy. P.S.: If you’re reading these lines and you’re [The National singer] Matt Berninger, send me a message. I would love to know what you think!”
Cover Me is proud to offer a first listen below, for Matt or anyone else. Stream the audio or download the MP3.
Check out more from 835 at their website.
