Want to do a cover of a well known song? Simple. Reduce the instrumentation to a simplistic piano figuration and add some romantic cello. Bob's your uncle.
This may be a standard method of 'making a song your own' (apparently), but it's certainly effective at adding some haunting romance to a piece. And when the song is as good as this, it's a no brainer. Goulding's slightly squeaky vocal may not be to everyone's taste, though here it gives a sense of vulnerability. This cover version does lack some of the more interesting electro sounds from Goulding's album. But it's beautiful and nostalgic, despite not being hugely original. A bit like Christmas then...
4/5
