We just got notice last Saturday that the Roman Post-Punk-slash-Darkwave band Les Longs Adieux had covered Lou Reed’s classic bittersweet ballad, “Perfect Day” and there was a video for it. I wondered if this was an upcoming Bandcamp release but the band say that this is likely a B-side for an upcoming single. Just released for us to enjoy right now. They are working on the follow up to their sterling album of last year, “Vertigo.” That one was my third favorite album of 2024 so I’m quite eager to hear where they are going next. Particularly with bass player Johnny Rainbow joining Federica Garenna and Frank Marrelli in its recording. I love it when Post-Punk duos expand their horizons!

The synths of the intro were delayed to give them the feel of an accordion as the white noise synths blew in to add some frost to the wintry, pizzicato vibe of the song. With her low, powerful delivery, Federica began singing the song to suggest a glimpse of what “Perfect Day” might have sounded with Nico singing, instead of Lou Reed!

As she moved to the chorus, Federica doubled her vocals with her backing vocals coming in an octave higher from her primary voice for the kind of split octave complexity that we love so much. Then on the second chorus she really leaned into the song to project it magnificently as the synths crashed dramatically, like waves on rocks.

Then she delivered the ambiguous emotional payload of the song’s “you’re going to reap just what you sow” climax that gives this song amazing staying power. It’s why there will be no shortage of artists wanting to perform this song from now until doomsday. And also why we can treasure many different versions of it, including this fine one. Lou Reed gave us all a gift when he wrote it, and now Les Longs Adieux have returned the favor with their moving cover version.

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