London Records present a new version of the Bronski Beat classic, ‘Smalltown Boy,‘ produced by New York based dance luminaries The Knocks and featuring a perfectly nuanced vocal take from Mike Hadreas aka Perfume Genius.
This new 2024 version is very much a collaborative effort between all parties involved. The Knocks, well known for their spirited and imaginative collaborations, have revisited the original ‘Smalltown Boy‘ master tapes, adding layers of warm electronics and thoughtful builds onto the track’s original synth lines, and enlisting new vocals from Perfume Genius, dovetailing perfectly with elements of Jimmy Somerville‘s original vocal.
The result is a driven update that is danceable, emotional and uplifting in equal parts.
“We wanted to really keep it close to the original but just give it a little more of a modern dance floor feel,” explains Ben Ruttner from The Knocks. “Perfume Genius already brings such a cool new element to it, so we just wanted to support his voice as much as possible while giving it a little bit of The Knocks dance pop touch. That main synth sound is so iconic, so we wanted that to be the main star of the show, still.“
Mike (Perfume Genius) adds: “When you’re trying to sing an iconic song, you want to make sure that you can do it justice and then also add your own information without fucking with it too much, you know? So, it’s a tall order but I was really, really excited.”
Bronski Beat’s Jimmy Somerville says of the new version: ‘It’s like a beautiful echo coming back after travelling a long and eventful distance.’
The new version arrives at what has been a staggering year for ‘Smalltown Boy.’ First released in 1984, Bronski Beat’s debut single took a personal, heartfelt story and with it created a worldwide smash. Earlier this year an #80sDanceTrend on TikTok showcased ‘Smalltown Boy‘ to millions of new fans, reaching over 4 billion views, amassing more than a quarter of a million TikTok creations, returning the track to the UK Top 100, where it has remained in the charts again across this Summer.
‘Smalltown Boy‘ is an enduring anthem for all marginalized individuals and LGBTQI+ communities around the world. Following this year’s UK general election and with the upcoming US election, with Trans rights being used as a political football. ‘Smalltown Boy’s messages of hope, community and resilience remain as salient as ever.
“I think the song definitely carries meaning in 2024,” adds JPatt of The Knocks. “That’s part of the reason we are doing the rework. The song itself is amazing, but the meaning behind it is what makes it a timeless classic. Even with all the strides the LGBTQI+ community has made in the past 40 years, there are tons of queer folk living in small towns that don’t feel seen or supported within those communities. As long as that still exists, this song will always be relevant.”
As to the song’s message of hope Mike adds: “I think I always have hope, and I think my experience is that all of my friends in the community do, too. We’re good at it. In the face of whatever. In the face of nothing. In the face of a lot. We’re good at having hope, and we’re good at building it up and finding where it is.”
The Knocks and Perfume Genius‘ version of ‘Smalltown Boy’ also appears on the upcoming 2CD and digital re-issue of their debut album The Age of Consent, also celebrating its 40th-anniversary this year—out October 18 via London Records. Other formats include a 5-Disc Deluxe Edition (4CD+DVD): featuring 4 essays by Tom Rasmussen, Lesley Chow, Lucy Robinson, and Barney Ashton-Bullock, the original album, bonus tracks, remixes, rarities, early versions, and rare radio sessions.
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