“What Is Love?” has had a special place in my heart ever since a friend and I requested it at a sweet sixteen party and turned the dance floor into the most Night At The Roxbury-esque mosh pit ever. So, when I read that Old Amica’s cover was slowed down and acoustic, I was concerned – what would become of my beloved synthpop ridiculousness?
Fortunately, my concerns proved groundless. While the Swedish duo removed both the synthpop and the ridiculousness from “What Is Love?”, they’ve added an emotional depth that Haddaway hinted at but never developed. It turns the lyrics from a vessel for the tune to aching poetry, and those hummed harmonies? They are the sound of crying angels.
We may never know what love is, but if we listen to enough we can determine what a good cover is. This is a good cover. Go listen to it.
MP3: Old Amica – What Is Love? (Haddaway cover)
[audio: News0511/05WhatIsLove.mp3|artists=Old Amica|titles=What Is Love]
Check out more of Old Amica at their Soundcloud—they have a new EP out, and I’m sure they’d love it if you gave it a listen.
