Released: June 10
Today’s hottest female artists honour trailblazer Neneh Cherry with ‘The Versions’; a 10-track collection of stellar reinterpretations of her best-loved recordings.
Celebrating the Swedish singer-songwriter’s legacy, the LP features cuts from Neneh’s first three albums – her global smash hit debut ‘Raw Like Sushi’ (1989), follow-up ‘Homebrew’ (1992), and her third studio record ‘Man’ (1996) – reimagined by a select group of musicians from across genres.
Opener Buffalo Stance, newly recorded by Robyn and Mapei and produced by Dev Hynes, sets out the premise of the record, which brings the production of the tracks notably up to date – in accordance with current chart trends and the signature styles of the artists featured – while maintaining and celebrating the essence of each track.
The album might feature alternate vocals, but Neneh continues to push forward as an activist via her involvement in the project, sharing a music video starring Indya Moore on Trans Day of Visibility, raising awareness of discrimination faced by transgender people worldwide.
The set continues to demonstrate the lasting impact of her topical lyrics, which remain as potent as they did in the late 1980s/early 1990s, with Sia’s take on Neneh’s signature anthem Manchild another triumph.
Elsewhere on the album, pop provocateur ANOHNI lends her haunting vocals to Woman – a play on James Brown’s 1966 hit It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World, which served as the lead single from ‘Man’ – while Greentea Peng adds a garage flair to Buddy X.
Some musicians take more creative control than others, with artist and violinist Sudan Archives reconstructing Heart into a sparse number and Kelsey Lu offering an alternative take on Manchild, with a sweeping arrangement and ethereal vocals.
Meanwhile, Nene’s daughter TYSON takes the reins on Sassy, showcasing her impressive vocals – softer than the original, yet equally poignant – and delivering an immediate highlight from the set. There’s also a remix of Buddy X courtesy of Honey Dijon.
What stands out on ‘The Versions’ is the quality of the tracks on offer, serving as a reminder of just how strong a discography Neneh Cherry has amassed – particularly when it’s considered that the LP only encompasses her initial studio run, from 1989-1996. On that note, it’s a shame the album doesn’t tackle some of her later recordings – particularly her stellar 2018 long-player ‘Broken Politics’.
But that shouldn’t take away from the merits of the album which, as a retrospective, offers a fresh alternative to the tired ‘Greatest Hits’ format and explores new avenues to bring classic hits to up-and-coming generations while celebrating the legacy of one of the most influential female artists of the past three decades.
‘The Versions’ is available now.
