“The Grief (Remix by Harry Kook)” from The Sway is a rare feat. It takes a song that’s inspired by real loss and makes it into a song that you almost want to dance to. That combination doesn’t seem to work so well, but somehow it does.
My first impression of this is the layering. It’s like there’s a pulse under it, it’s electronic, it’s steady, but it never takes away from the original band’s feel. The guitars keep a typical indie flavor that takes you back, but never to the past.
The emotional essence of the song is delivered by David Casson’s vocals. He is honest and sincere, but never overstated, as though he’s been living with this song for so long that he trusts it completely. The rhythm section keeps things going around him, never letting the mood get too dark, even if the topic is dark. The restraint is what really shines through. Harry Kook was very aware of what he was working with and created something new on it rather than covering it up. The elements of the dance are integrated, not added on, and that requires a discerning ear. It’s evident that they have put thought into every transition.
In the middle, the track widens, it becomes more euphoric, but never loses its sadness from the beginning. That’s how it works. Joy and grief are side by side, neither taking away the other. It’s straightforward, which is something that many remixes can’t pull off. The conclusion is soft and calms down the whole thing, rather than a sudden abrupt end. I happened to listen twice one after the other. The Grief is a testament to the fact that pain and hope can coexist and Harry Kook and The Sway found a way to make it real and dance worthy.
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