Perhaps I’m a little late to the party with this one—so if you’ve already heard it keep on scrolling. Two days ago, the BBC released a cover version of New Order’s “Blue Monday” done in a 1930s style. The cover was done in celebration of the March 7, 1983 release of the song. This version of “Blue Monday,” performed by Orkestra Obsolete, used only instruments that were actually available in the 1930s, such as the theremin, musical saw, prepared piano and more. It’s actually a pretty good cover and works great, in my opinion.

For more information about the project go to the BBC Arts site. 
 

Image from Double Echo’s Phantomime release

Even though the hugely influential single was released 30 years ago today, and as much as I love it, there’s not a lot more you can say about “Blue Monday” that hasn’t already been said.

So instead, I would like to take this oportunity to point fans of New Order in the direction of something new that they might like, namely Liverpool-based doom pop outfit Double Echo. Yes, it may sound a little familiar, but who cares when it sounds this good?

I have featured Double Echo, and their brand of early-Cure-meets-John Maus gothic spaciness on DM before, and if you want more (including Bandcamp track links) then go here.

The band have just put out the new song “Plain Sight” via their Bandcamp page, and to accompany it, here’s a strange but inriguing video that sits somewhere between sci-fi and retro BBC tv drama. You can find more info on Double Echo on their Facebook page.

Double Echo “Plain Sight”
 

 
I know it’s Thursday, but every day could do with a rendition of New Order’s “Blue Monday” at some point.

As if the electro-pop classic wasn’t epic and brooding enough, here it is performed by the 60-piece Brythoniad Male Voice Choir, commissioned for the UK’s Festival Number 6.

To celebrate New Order headlining the first year of the UK’s newest festival, the Brythoniad Male Voice Choir were commissioned by Festival No.6 to record their own unique version of Blue Monday.

The 60 members of the Brythoniad Male Voice Choir, formed in 1964 in Blaenau Ffestiniog, recorded their interpretation of the seminal track in the studio, then filmed the video on location at the stunning Portmeirion, location for Festival No.6 .

Surely the most unique setting for a festival the UK has ever seen?

There is more information on Festival Number 6, headlined by New Order, Primal Scream and Spiritualized and taking place in Portmerion, Wales on the 14th, 15th and 16th of September, on the festival’s website.

Brythoniad Male Voice Choir “Blue Monday”