Live Review: LISTEN: New Navy 'Breathe' (Télépopmusik Cover)

Listen to an electronic song. It's full of synths, beats and percussion. Now scrap most of the elements but keep the main focus of the song and add your own style. This is what Australian band NEW NAVY did with Télépopmusik's 'Breathe.'

Originally off the album Angel Milk from electronic, downtempo trio Télépopmusik, the tune primitively sounded like a mellowed out Portishead track. Now with the NEW NAVY boys' rendition, expect to experience a roller coaster ride as the building layers tend to ascend and descend in energy. Ben's dreamy vocals open the song, scarily reminiscent to the voice of Yannis Philippakis of Foals. As it progresses, the haunting introduction develops into a fun, dance track as you're soon to be acquainted with clean guitar twangs, hand claps, bongos, egg shakers, bass drums and possibly some subtle cowbell.

The only consistent element to this cover is the vocals. Whilst listening, you may feel that the lyrics are really detached from the instrumentation. However, the affirming line, “Just Breathe” always manages to throw everything back into order.

Once you hear both of these versions of 'Breathe,' you'll find that there are barely any similarities. With female vocalist Angela McCluskey in the original, the atmosphere is already set apart. The fact that both of these groups can make one song so different to one another really encapsulates authenticity, creativity and versatility. This song really works.

The cover came about as a collaboration between NEW NAVY's record label Future Classic and sport chic clothing label Le Coq Sportif. The brand are about constantly seeking something new, fresh and authentic. As a result, both labels joined forces in order to get Australian bands to cover French classics. As well as NEW NAVY, find Scenic covering Air and Cadillac taking on Daft Punk.

Hop onto Soundcloud, where you can get it as a free download.

Words by Hannah Galvin.

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