Queen of Hearts, whose rendition of Ben Howard’s “Only Love” was Popservations’ Top Cover Song of 2012, has reached much further back in the past this time, recording Chris Isaak’s classic romantic lament, “Wicked Game.”

Produced by electronic music wiz Mark Reeder, the song’s signature tremolo guitar has given way to icy synths and touches of Chinese instrumentation, with Queen of Hearts’ multi-tracked vocals imbued with cool reserve. It’s a striking production that makes her cover of “Wicked Game” stand out from the six or so others already in my iTunes library.

I do, however, have one minor quibble about Queen of Hearts’ cover. Its abrupt end, with the final lyric, “Nobody loves no one,” delivered matter-of-factly. She’s so cold. (But that’s probably the point.)

Free download of Queen of Hearts – “Wicked Game” (Chris Isaak cover) via SoundCloud.