New York synth-pop group Parlour Magic recently recorded a cover of Lana Del Rey’s “Bartender” at Gold Diggers SLA and Flux Studio NYC. The original was released on Normal F***ing Rockwell in the late 2010s. And now this group has decided to make it their own. In the hands of Parlour Magic, ‘Bartender’ is an electrifying combination of ultra-produced and cosmic vocals and wavering, phasing synthesizers. As it opens up (like a neon rose), petal by petal, new sonic elements unfold. Undulating, moving lines turn into what can only be described as a soul-stirring baseline.
While all of the elements of ‘Bartender’ have been transformed, there’s still something simple and beautiful about this iteration, which harkens back to the original. By the time we get to chorus, flittering electronic sounds (which directly contrast the rich tenor vocals…) tickle our ears, intertwine with smooth lead guitar and quaint plucked noises. As the end nears, a stompy drum kit makes a statement, and then it all fades away as quickly as it entered.
