Sally Shapiro Pay the Rent with Pet Shop Boys Cover

Swedish duo Sally Shapiro, featuring vocalist Shapiro and synth maestro Johan Agebjörn, have released an expert cover of the Pet Shop Boys’ “Rent.” The original from 1987 is a poetic paean to relationships where one member of the couple apparently has more power than the other. This might be financial or because one is more invested in the relationship than the other. However, there is no adverse judgment or particular regret in the tone or delivery. Each party gets what they need.

The new version sets its tone more specifically with Shapiro playing the role of a mistress, who is concerned about what she is losing in the relationship, rather than what she is gaining (if anything). The music is slowed and raised by a third, so that the sharp sounds are more piercing, emphasizing that the negative is much more present. Agebjörn adds reverb to his synthesizers, which provides a much less comfortable tone than the original, whilst retaining the musicality. Overall this is a fresh new read and angle on the story.