SOTD #195 // Harrys Gym: 'Old Man (Radioproof Remix)'

It’s always interesting to see where remixes will take already good songs. Having previously remixed efforts by both Delphic and The Good Natured, Radioproof comes into this attempt at bettering Harrys Gym‘s ‘Old Man’ on solid form. It’s a brave re-imagining of what was originally quite a laid-back pop song, but it definitely works.

Gone are Anne Lise Frøkedal’s prominent vocals – instead appearing as whispers in the introduction and just after the halfway mark – and in their stead is an incredibly catchy synth line that provides much of the focus for the song’s duration. The keyboards are deemed excessive too, making the Radioproof remix almost indistinguishable from the original. It’s certainly a bold step, however one which pays dividends in the creation of a hauntingly beautiful melody which, say it quietly, may even been better than the source material.

They’re completely different beasts though, and where Harrys Gym succeeded in making something moving and dreamy, Radioproof has managed to re-imagine ‘Old Man’ as a soaring yet respectful tribute to the original.

‘Old Man’ is out this week via Sonic Cathedral. The new album, What Was Ours Can’t Be Yours, is out via Splendour on 7 February.