The 1975 recently released a cover of “Now Is the Hour” for the upcoming show The New Look about designer Christian Dior in Nazi-occupied Paris. While many people attribute “Now Is the Hour” to Bing Crosby, the tune was actually first written in Australia in 1913. It was then redone again as a Maori version, so it is also known as The Maori farewell song (Aka Pō Atarau). With rich, gentle, and flowing backup vocals, Crosby’s famous version was charming and romantic with the oom-pah-pah guitars, magical celeste-like keys, and piano sealing the deal.
In this pared-down cover, The 1975 keeps the sweeping ballad feel, but this time, adding gentle snares and wandering saxophones. It is as if we are in a room next to a quiet combo rehearsal, or inside of a closing bar in the 1940s. “Now Is the Hour” in this band’s hands is also much more melancholic. From the barely-there vocal harmonies to the jazzy hints and even-keel/consistent sonic and dynamic textures, by the time the song closes, listeners are left feeling like there’s unfinished business.
