Annie - Heartbeat
Second single from the forthcoming Anniemal album gets its full proper release in February, but in the meantime there is a special Rőyksopp remix available from Annies mighty fine website
For the exclusive download, Rőyksopp add an epic icy electro backing that breaks down into a wonderful winter ambient soundtrack recalling the glory times of Yello and Future Sound of London. However, the gorgeous original cannot be bettered in my opinion, but this is indeed a very special remix.
The original song has been deemed the best single of 2004 by Pitchfork (despite its proper release date of Feb’ 05!) should indeed indicate the excellence on offer, but then I have had an interesting relationship with Annie, who's from Norway you know.
Having ignored all the usual hype round the release of the debut single (ignoring all the underground 7” limited releases that were out a while ago) ‘Chewing Gum’ I started to read the constant praise directed towards her all over certain message boards (one in particular – I Love Music), and for the first time I succumbed to internet peer pressure. Without hearing the song I bought the single. First listen I didn’t get it, in fact I thought the song was an annoying holiday euro-trash pop song that wasn’t going to get any more love and attention from me. But something changed with the 4th or 5th listen. The electroclash-y stylings, the self referencing lyrical content, the breathy vocals, the sheer addictive-ness of it all really hit home.
so when I heard that Anniemal was going to get a soft release in October I knew I had to search it down. I got lucky. Very lucky. The album is without doubt the best Pop album I have ever heard, just about every song is a classic, and prior to the single release of Heartbeat the track was my favourite album track.
So I am somewhat chuffed that this track has been lifted and spruced up by folks like Alan Braxe, Maurice Fulton, and Maximo Park as well as the previously mentioned Rőyksopp. Each of the remixes takes the track in a subtley different direction, but each touchup has kept the melody and emotional vulnerability that permeates the spicy electro grooves.
so, without over intellectualizing over the whole Annie phenomenon as several other places have, I just have to tell you that this single and the forthcoming album could change your whole outlook on pop music.
Don’t resist, you’ll feel much better for it.