Nouvelle Vague Share Their Version Of Siouxie And The Banshies’ Song “Night Shift”

Nouvelle Vague was co-founded in 2003 by French musician/producer duo Olivier Libaux and Marc Collin. Their creative alliance produced the unique concept that served as the catalyst for Nouvelle Vague’s debut album, to bring in various female vocalists who had no prior knowledge of the songs they’d be covering. This idea allowed them to “forget the initial punk or new wave background of each song,” making way for a novel reinterpretation inspired by 50’s/60’s bossa nova, with a light cabaret swing and hints of the Caribbean. Now, after five albums and over 1,000 shows across the globe, Nouvelle Vague is celebrating its 20th anniversary by offering a fresh take on a goth rock classic.

“Night Shift” crept its way onto Siouxsie and the Banshees’s 1981 album, Juju, allegedly inspired by the sexually sadistic serial killings of the Yorkshire Ripper, Peter Sutcliffe. Nouvelle Vague draw on the song’s darker elements by infusing their signature style into Siouxsie’s original recording. This sultry single elicits a feeling of uncanny, Hitchcockian anticipation, as the false sense of security created by the feminine, velvet-cloaked melody is eroded by surreptitious minor arpeggiations and bossa nova breakdown. Their transformative reimagination of this darkwave classic is equal parts delicate, decadent, and dangerously enticing, embodying the furtive essence of a femme fatale.

“Night Shift” arrives just in time as the third single from upcoming full-length feature, Spellbound – A Tribute To Siouxsie & The Banshees, available worldwide on August 25th. This cover collection pays homage to the godmother of goth with a diverse range of amazing new talents, such as Kap Bambino, The KVB, Night Beats, and R. Missing, along with post-punk progenitor and former Banshee, Jon Klein, who joins forces with PiL bassist, Jah Wobble, plus Xiu Xiu, Skold, and lots more!