We interviewed Teenage Waitress a little while back for the release of their debut LP, the wonderfully dreamlike Love & Chemicals. Well, Daniel Ash (sole full-time member of the band) is back in the studio, putting the finishing touches on a much-anticipated follow-up.

In the interim, however, Ash decided to play around with one of his favourite tracks, Marvin Gaye’s ‘Pretty Little Baby’. In his own words, ‘it’s one of those fantastic songs that seemed to slip through the cracks. Nobody seems to talk about it’.

The track may not wind up on L&C II but remains a ‘support act to the album’ of sorts, to tide fans over until the next full-length release. It features and was produced by Michael Bissett, frequent collaborator to Ash’s work.

Gaye’s original, released as a stand-alone single in 1965, is pure soul, as the narrator laments the departure of his loved one, claiming that if her love is gone, then so is his world. Ash is right, it’s a neat little pop number that seems largely lost in the bigger moments of Gaye’s career.

Teenage Waitress’ version, meanwhile, does a seminal job at splicing faithfulness to the original with his own ‘unique style’. From the get-go, jangling synth and delicate, overlayed vocals propel us back to ‘I’m Leaving Berlin’ or ‘Primary Colours’ from the first LP. It’s that almost ethereal depth – like endless milky waters – which Ash captures so well, and remains his artistic signature.

For fans of Love & Chemicals, as well as Gaye’s original, there’s plenty to find enthralling in just three minutes. Dejected passion, mournful echoes and lo-fi electro all find their home here.

The track may not wind up on L&C II but remains a ‘support act to the album’ of sorts, to tide fans over until the next full-length release. It features and was produced by Michael Bissett, frequent collaborator to Ash’s work.

Teenage Waitress’ version of ‘Pretty Little Baby’ comes out on August 19th.