In what comes as a pleasant surprise to most, Ellie Goulding takes on Hozier’s Grammy-nominated hit “Take Me To Church,” opting for a slowed-down, tame and synth-saturated rework to the original’s soulful and bluesy feel.
On hindsight, the release shouldn’t have come as a shock, given that the English electro-pop artist is no stranger to covers, having successfully taken on dozens of beloved tunes, the likes of which include Elton John’s “Your Song,” the Weeknd’s “High For This,” and alt-j’s “Tesselate.”
While many may favour Hozier’s raw and husky vocal delivery, arguing that Goulding’s airy and breathy execution strips the song of its power, others are quick to point out the emotional sting of her electronic soundscapes and laid back synths.Whatever the case may be, Hozier himself seems to enjoy it, the Irish singer-songwriter having this to say about the cover:
Very, very flattered by the wonderful @elliegoulding covering Take Me To Church. Check it out https://t.co/UZKbvWy5GO
— Hozier (@Hozier) March 12, 2015
Take a listen and decide for yourself what you think.
