Death Cab for Cutie’s Ben Gibbard Covers Frightened Rabbit’s “Keep Yourself Warm”

Another day, another cut from Frightened Rabbit’s forthcoming Tiny Changes covers record.

Benjamin Gibbard of Death Cab For Cutie has released his striking rendition of Frightened Rabbit’s “Keep Yourself Warm,” marking the final track to come out in advance of the album’s Friday, July 12, release.

Gibbard’s take keeps the original’s distinct organ lead at the song’s center and adds a layer of synth to give the track more of a hymnal atmosphere. Singing from behind an over-compressed microphone, Gibbard’s gentle and subdued vocals add a feeling of vulnerability to the original. Ending on a swelling chorus of chimes and deep, reverberating percussion, the cover sets the tone for the rest of the forthcoming album: warm, forlorn and triumphant.

Gibbard’s cover is poignant and thoughtful, and rightfully so: The musician is a close peer of the band, having toured with Frightened Rabbit in 2011 and performed at the tribute show held in memoriam of the band’s late frontman Scott Hutchison last year.