There’s some good music to soundtrack this Good Friday, and today, I’m giving you the second installment of our ‘Under The Covers’ series. This is where we get down and dirty with an original track and one or more covers, digging into the differences and how they each make it their own.
Today with their new release, BlakTai hits us with a refreshing energy with their new cover of Depeche Mode’s legendary track, “Behind the Wheel.” Released in 1987 as part of the genre-bending “Music for the Masses,” the original song remains an unforgettable memory for any Depeche Mode fan. Its dark synth lines, pulse-quickening rhythms, and subversive lyrics continue to hold a magnetic allure, and is just one example to the band’s enduring influence. BlakTai offers their own interpretation, giving a new exploration of the well-worn classic.
“Music for the Masses” stands as a pivotal chapter in Depeche Mode’s evolution. It marked a significant departure, a venture into the darker, more industrial territories that would inform their future sound. Yet, amidst the brooding synths and pulsating rhythms, the essence of Depeche Mode remained – that undeniable new wave spirit that had enthralled legions of fans.
In their cover, BlakTai appears to have not only grasped the core of “Behind the Wheel” but amplified its inherent seductive energy. They’ve crafted a fresh interpretation, preserving the song’s original power while infusing it with a magnetic allure.
The beauty of “Behind the Wheel” lies in its open-ended quality, for fans to lose themselves in its swirling synth lines and decipher their own ideas from the suggestive lyrics. However, its ability to establish a strong atmosphere has always remained constant. BlakTai seizes upon this inherent strength and intensifies it, pushing more into the original’s brooding mystique.
Where Depeche Mode gave us a driving, danceable beat, BlakTai injects a dose of their own sorcery. Their interpretation throbs with a deeper, more seductive pulse, a version that pulled me into the song’s shadowy embrace. And I would say they transform it into something altogether more intoxicating. The vocal work in BlakTai’s version unveils a hauntingly beautiful dimension of “Behind the Wheel.” Their vocal harmonies intertwine, creating a delicate, wispy texture that contrasts starkly with the original’s bolder delivery.
This gentle whisper-like quality infuses the song with a sense of intimacy, as if the lyrics are a secret meant only for your ears. The vocals glide over the foundation, evoking a light aura of vulnerability that adds a gripping layer of emotional complexity to their rendition. The tenderness in their voices exudes this almost hypnotizing quality I would say that deepens the song’s emotional impact.
The original Depeche Mode version injects a distinctive twist in the latter half – a quirky synthesized vocalization that adds another layer to the darker new wave sound the band was going for. BlakTai tackles this element head-on, incorporating a similar effect with a watery synthesizer sound that washes over the track.
This addition perfectly complements their established style, building on the existing mood and intensifying the overall ambiance integrating it into the overall sound. Which I think is a better fit, rather than it being just some random sort of weird New Wave auditory enigma from the Depeche Mode version.
Now you might be thinking, ‘well, that was a nice little fun little addition to the original version of track’. But, things do take a fun twist. The song executes a sharp pivot in the latter half, transforming into a danceable bop while retaining the original’s dark atmosphere. It’s infused with a more carefree spirit, creating a unique duality within the song itself. BlakTai walks the line between maintaining that original depth and introducing a pulsating ‘out on the dance floor’ energy in their version.
The result? A wild ride through the song, evolving from hushed whispers to a full-fledged dancefloor anthem. They pay homage to the source material while leaving their own indelible mark, solidifying their position as worthy interpreters of this Depeche Mode classic. Despite the numerous great remixes of this track, I think I personally have found my favorite version with this one.
And again, be sure to pick up the track today, as it’s now out on streaming platforms.