Swedish outfit Sally Shapiro have shared a new cover version of Pet Shop Boys’ 1987 song ‘Rent’. The song will get released as a 12″ single on September 20th digitally, with physical vinyl dropping October 6th via Italians Do It Better.

For this rendition, Sally Shapiro transforms the tune into a sleek and chic synthpop rework. From the beefed up drum programming to the silky synth work, Sally Shapiro have definitely given the track new life, and ultimately made it their own.

Regarding the cover, Sally Shapiro’s Johan Agebjörn said:

“I am a longtime fan of Pet Shop Boys and have been thinking from time to time about covering some PSB song, without any clear idea of how to do it. Suddenly it became apparent that the melancholic and painfully beautiful harmonies of ‘Rent’ would suit our style perfectly, and I started playing a synth line over the chorus.”

Vocalist Sally Shapiro also stated:

“We also think the lyrics to Rent are intriguing, how the singer – in our version, a mistress – tries to convince herself that she’s happy, while the melancholy shines through. Pet Shop Boys is also very much childhood nostalgia for me.”

Johnny Jewel added:

“Sally Shapiro’s cover of this Pet Shop Boys classic keeps the original close to the heart. Emphasizing the baroque leanings of the chord progression, they take it further with a 16th note melody careening over icy pads. The result is a Synthwave skyline scraping the upper atmosphere in the never-ending race to survive the first of the month. It’s a twisted tale of the politics of economy in relationships where the currency is love. Sally’s crystalline coo glides over Johan’s elegant Italo production as the bass line anchors the galloping rhythm section. Home is where the heart is…but shelter comes first in this game of love.”