Two classic love songs are re-imagined with a late-night, Lynchian cinematic flair on QSFW2S, the new EP from Minus32Heartbeat. “My Funny Valentine” and “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” are interpreted with melodic, atmospheric intrigue within — propelled further by the riveting vocals of Em Bell. Minus32Heartbeat represents the project of New York-based artist Matt Friedlander, who was the guitarist and songwriter for The GoStation prior to a 15-year-hiatus. He re-emerged in 2023 under this new alias, and the debut album DHRICMV followed a year later.
Minus32Heartbeat debuted in 2023 with a cover of The Cranberries’ “Dreams” and continues to immerse here, bringing new and unique life to familiar staples in the realm of love songs. Emphasizing both stirring vulnerability and gently unfolding soundscapes, both tracks achieve a replay-inducing impact. “My Funny Valentine” maneuvers through understated piano and twinkling effects, as Em Bell’s vocals enthrall with a range that excels in both introspective subduedness and soaring emotion, in moments like asking “are you smart?” and beckoning to “stay, little valentine.” A mid-point saxophone emergence captivates, and certainly invokes that David Lynch influence. “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” is similarly gripping, weaving float-y vocals within a simmering, hazy textural warmness. Both covers shine with atmospheric artistry, while retaining the original’s melodic charms.
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“My Funny Valentine – instrumental” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
