Luke Abbott x Jon Hopkins – Modern Driveway

In 20 years we’ll listen back to Jon Hopkins and wonder why he wasn’t filling stadia. Yes, he has the Mercury nomination and the Coldplay credits. But more importantly 2008′s Insides, his third studio album, has the feel of a truly genre-defining record; a startling combination of brazenly distorted electronics and stunningly produced acoustic instruments.

Hopkins’ rework of Luke Abbott’s ‘Modern Driveway’ (the lead track from the Norfolk producer’s latest EP, and itself a recent Song Of The Day) demonstrates exactly why he is so special. More cover than remix, Hopkins’ version strips away all but the original melody, resetting that simple figure in beautifully recorded piano, every pedal click audible. It’s the sort of track that doesn’t so much demand your attention as gradually swaddle you inside itself, tighter and tighter. The sort of track to which you realise you’ve been listening, unmoving, for four and bit minutes, your hands just hovering over your keyboard.

Luke Abbott’s Modern Driveway EP is out now on Notown. Download Jon Hopkins’ version below.