‘A POSTHUMOUS PECK’ – THE ZUTONS COVER AMY WINEHOUSE’S ‘BACK TO BLACK’

SINGLE REVIEW | THE ZUTONS – BACK TO BLACK by Gracie Erskine

13 years since the tragic death of Camden Queen Amy Winehouse, The Zutons pay tribute to the icon in their beautifully harrowing cover of the 2006 hit Back to Black.

A heavy haunting reverbed guitar essences the start of the track luring the listener into a heavenly composition. Abi Harding, secondary vocalist and saxophonist, takes lead on the track with her sultry and honest vocals. Failing to play the imitation game, Harding encapsulates the same kind of agonising pain Winehouse provoked, sensual and harrowing.

Hip-hop inspired drumbeats relay a ‘time is of the essence’ fear, harmonizing with the impending doom feel of the track, ran through by indie-feel plucking guitars should Zutons not lose their auteur.

The chorus erupts into a crashing array of racing leads in an apocalyptic Bond style fashion. The track heavily honours the singer’s initial wishes with its deathly style mirroring themes of the original music video in which a funeral is held for ‘the heart of Amy Winehouse’ as the gravestone featured reads.

Harding showcases her saxophone skills in the bridge, softly serenading into an audible-montage style whirlwind, a reminiscent cascade that feels truly signature. Despite this, it acts as a nod towards Winehouse’s ska, The Specials’ influenced band most prevalently featured in her live shows.

The scouse trio return a favour after the singer covered their tune ‘Valerie’ in the BBC Live Lounge at the peak release of her sophomore album. Lead singer Dave McCabe revealed to NME how Winehouse’s cover first came into the world. After a tedious run-in at a party in which McCabe insulted the singer by telling one of her friends to ‘fuck off being a wanker’, Winehouse then put the scouser in his place with a response of ‘Well, you fuck off then!’.

The Camden singer later pleaded ‘Please come back. I’m sorry I told you to fuck off, I really like that song (Valerie)’ leading her to cover it in the Live Lounge as an apology. The track received so much critical acclaim that it featured as the third single from Mark Ronson‘s remix album ‘Version’ forwarding it to become the most beloved and renowned version.

Riding the Winehouse wave this year, the Liverpudlian rockers defy the poorly acclaimed imitation of the London singer depicted in the biopic released earlier in April this year. The Merseyside troupe deliver a mature, identified and confident rendition of an initially jazz R&B blend.

After a hiatus in the 2010’s, The Zutons returned in April with their 2024 album ‘The Big Decider’ featuring production from Nile Rodgers. All whilst embarking the band on a new adventure their take on the track is a very special nod to their past. McCabe described to Radio X that Winehouse’s cover ‘immortalised the whole thing’, as opposed to a feeling of theft and envy. The scouse rockers latest single feels like a posthumous peck to Amy to keep the flame of the icon burning.

Freshly off a supporting arena tour with Paul Heaton with Rianne Downey, The Zutons will headline their our tour in April next year. More information and tickets can be found https://thezutons.com/

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Gracie Erskine

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