I’m very much enjoying the Elysium era of Pet Shop Boys remixes.
First single, “Winner,” featured illuminative new takes by Elysium co-producer Andrew Dawson and a Swedish double-shot from John Dahlbäck and Niki & The Dove. For the follow-up, “Leaving,” Dawson returns with another pair of HappySad and HappyHour revamps (the latter on 12″ vinyl only), while the single’s imported reconstruction comes via Italian DJ/producer Dusty Kid, whose nearly 12-minute Lost Her Love Remix delivers a “sinister/Hitchcock spirit.” But this time, Pet Shop Boys haven’t only left others to remix “Leaving,” they also contribute a trio of remixes.
On the Believe In PSB Remix, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe turn up the tempo on the Elysium album version without sacrificing a scintilla of the original emotion. The additional “I believe in love” answer vocals are a lovely touch.
Pet Shop Boys’ retro ’80s-inspired PSB Side By Side Remix is absolutely superb. Tennant’s newly recorded rap, inserted toward the end, recalls the duo’s first single, “West End Girls.” (The PSB Freedom Remix is a dub of this one, though it keeps the rap intact.)
The various “Leaving” remixes are spread over two EPs, Leaving (Remixed) and Leaving (Again). A third EP, Leaving, collects the album version and three excellent unreleased B-sides.
Purchase Pet Shop Boys – “Leaving” Remixes via iTunes, Amazon MP3.