Beck Releases Reimagined Version of “Saw Lightning”
Images via Capitol/YouTube, Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty
Well, it’s Beck’s 49th birthday today, and the prolific musician has celebrated by releasing a reimagined “freestyle” version of his most recent single, “Saw Lightning.”
“Saw Lightning (Freestyle)” is a complete stylistic departure from the original song, a frenzied, electronic-driven track held together by acoustic slide guitar and heavy synth. The newer version strips back the original’s fleeting Pharrell background vocals and heavy bass, leaving only Beck’s voice, a harmonica and pulsating stomping as percussion.
An accompanying Giovanni Ribisi-directed video finds the musician obscured by shadows in a three-piece suit and top hat as he battles with his harmonica on a deserted stage—a minimalistic visual fitting for a minimalistic rendition.
“Saw Lightning” is the first cut from Beck’s forthcoming 14th album, Hyperspace, due out at “an as yet undetermined point in the space time continuum” via Capital Records, per a press release. The original was released back in April, so it’s been a long time coming for updates on Hyperspace.
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