Keelan X shares synth-pop cover of Johnny Logan's 'What's Another Year'

Synth-pop artist Keelan X recently shared a remix of 1980s Eurovision winner Johnny Logan's 'What's Another Year'. The cover version by Keelan X comes with an animated music video created by Leo Meares.

The animated video shows a young boy who finds a time machine and travels back to the 1980s Eurovision Song Contest in Dutch city The Hague. There he meets his idol, Johnny Logan, and is allowed to watch him perform the song live.

'What's Another Year' combines elements from classic '80s synth-pop with those from modern interpretations of the genre, like The Weekend produces. As a major influence, Keelan X mentions bands such as Moroder and Tears for Fears.

Since Keelan X‘s debut in the '90s, the Irish musician has played in several bands and transformed his creative output by tapping into his fascination with synth, electro, and pop music.

Commenting on the single, the rising artist said: "This is a bit of a departure for me, adapting a Eurovision winning ballad into a slightly more up-tempo, modern pop track. I always loved the song (by Shay Healy) and thought it would be interesting to give it a synth-pop makeover."

Adding, that it's his favourite song "ever put forward by Ireland to the Eurovision. It’s very musical and I just love the wistful melody line and vocal delivery by Johnny as well as the instrumental sections, beautifully crafted by Bill Whelan (of Riverdance fame)."

 

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To inject a hazy, shimmering electro-pop veneer, Keelan X collaborated with London-based pop producer Imad Salhi.

'What's Another Year' will kickstart the producer'ss 2023, which will see him release further singles throughout the year in order to continue his rise both at home and abroad.

Since Shay Healy was mentioned as a greater inspiration by Keelan X, Healy's son Fionan Healy listened to the song and said he "really liked Keelan’s take on the song a dreamy 80s synth vibe gives it a very different air."

"The video is really fun and vibrant, filled with loads of easter eggs from my childhood. It brings me right back to the time when Johnny Logan won the Eurovision," he added.

"I think Shay would’ve really enjoyed listening to Keelan’s version, he was always very supportive of any interpretation of the song, he enjoyed other people getting a kick out of the song and where it might take them."