A few weeks back, I was set to feature a new cover of Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game,” by Widowspeak. That was until I listened to the Brooklyn trio’s take on the song and didn’t feel they’d done much with it.

Even more recently however, Washed Out performed a live set for Sirius XMU and trotted out the same 1989 hit, doing it a thousand times better. Gone is the signature tremolo guitar, but like Isaak’s original, Washed Out’s Earnest Greene captures a similar film-noir feel for his synth-centric re-do.

Greene adds a new dimension to the cover by calling upon his wife Blair to sing along, making this “Wicked Game” an even more aching lover’s lament. Though the couple steers clear of the song’s classic backing-vocal warning — “This world is only gonna break your heart” — I do hope all is well at home for those two kids. Hear here:

To hear Washed Out’s appearance on “Sirius XMU Sessions” in full, listen to Sirius XM channel 35 on August 3 at 9:00pm EST.

Free download of Washed Out – “Wicked Game” (Chris Isaak cover) via Stereogum.