Culture / Music

Listen to Bruises’ euphoric cover of Serge Gainsbourg’s track ‘La Javanaise’

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We've heard the lyrics before, of that you can be certain, but the vocals of Adah Dylan and more subtly, Max Sokolinski transform Serge Gainsbourg's La Javanaise from its subdued, pensive quality into a triumphant anthem about love lost that can be sweated out on the dancefloor.

While the legendary track has enjoyed many covers over the years, the unique blend of new wave, psychedelic rock and trip-hop so characteristic of composer-producer Max Sokolinski and Austrian-American singer Adah Dylan, who perform under the band name Bruises, lends a fresh perspective to La Javanaise. And ahead of the duos second EP release, titled Burning, in June, it's this song that has been selected as a taster of what's to come.

Upon hearing Bruises reimagining of La Javanaise, there's an instinct to declare the old new once more. But this classic track has hardly tarnished with time. You're just as likely to find it in vinyl form on your Mémé's credenza as you are to hear it bleating out of the speakers at that cool french restaurant. Which, when all is said and done, is the power of a true classic: its ability to unite people.

But more than this, the pop duo has recontextualised what was meant as a dialogue between two stung lovers, into a song that captures the mood of our time. That is, bittersweet and torn between uncharted freedom and growing disenchantment. But rather than be weighed down by dread and uncertainty, Bruises look to the light. Their cover of La Javanaise is uplifting almost to the point of euphoria and it's all I want to hear if I found myself under the shimmering lights of a disco ball with the night stretching out before me.

Having performed in major cities like Paris and Los Angeles, as well as being tapped to play for brands such as Gucci, Paco Rabanne and Marc Jacobs, it's clear that Bruises are in the midst of an upward trajectory. Bear witness to it below, and see the video for Bruises cover of La Javanaise which drops on April 22.

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