Surahn is the latest signing to the DFA label, with his debut self-titled EP seeing a release through the label last year (it's on Spotify here). He was a touring member of Empire of the Sun, a founding member of The Swiss and has written with Usher (is that good? I lose track...). In other words, he certainly has some experience.
This single release hands the original track Watching The World (not actually on here, but featured on that debut EP) to Norwegian disco wonder Prins Thomas.
On the a-side Prins transforms the gentle beach-combing laid-back disco of the original to a glamorous discoball Hi-NRG disco. Cue a steady four-four beat, heavy arpeggiated bass lines and a string backing. The dramatic vocals suit the heightened tone - it's a heartbroken tale of remorse from Surahn and Prins Thomas delivers a production to match.
It's high drama but it lacks some of the chilled, soulful feel of the original. On the flip is an instrumental, which benefits from the restraint that comes with the removed vocal.
Surahn's debut album is due on DFA later this year and it's shaping up to be an interesting release and this single is a good enough soundtrack whilst we wait.
Watching the World (Prins Thomas Diskomiks) is out on vinyl exclusively from the DFA online store and is released digitally on 26 February. You can pre-order the digital release from Amazon.co.uk [affiliate link].