Lush, inventor of the bath bomb and the purveyor of fresh handmade cosmetics and shower-time treats has yet another string to their bow that fans of a decadent Sunday morning soak may not be aware of. Lush co-founder Mark Constantine has collated In the Bath, the fourth instalment of the brand’s acclaimed compilation series where era-defining tracks are reimagined and reworked.
Each album is comprised of covers spanning various decades and include songs which have influenced Mark and his career during each era. Self Preservation Society saw a reimagining of some 60s classics, Instant Replay was a homage to the 70s, Life’s What You Make It was all about the 80s and In the Bath has brought the best of the 90s back to the airwaves.
At 35 tracks, In the Bath is a behemoth which is filled with some gems that as a child growing up in the 90s I remember fondly. I’ve been hooked on hearing new life breathed into some of my favourite 90s classics and here are my favourite picks from the album:
In the Bath opens with Say You’ll Be There, a cover by Marry Waterson of the Spice Girls’ iconic 1996 track. It’s a stripped back offering compared to the original, just gentle guitar plucks accompanying Waterson’s gravelly tones. The harmonies add a beautiful depth and the folk influence in the guitars completely reimagine the sugary sweet pop classic.
Another stand out for me and which switches up the tempo completely is Alice Faye’s cover of The Dandy Warhols’ hit Bohemian Like You. I like how it’s been re-worked with a female voice but kept the punk rock vibe with the heavy guitars. The energy of the original track’s been retained through the singalong harmonies, unrelenting guitars and high-octane pace.
The reworking of Stardust’s Music Sounds Better With You by Jackie Oates is another track that deserves a multiple repeat plays. The tempo has been taken down a few notches and the electronic elements replaced by gentle keys and clever percussion to mimic the track’s characteristic sounds. The switch from hedonistic club anthem to upbeat ballad-esque ode is impressive and Oates’ vocal is ethereal and almost heavenly, and is elevated even further by the soaring strings.
Stealing Sheep have turned Supergrass classic Alright totally on its head, bringing it right into the 21st Century with a brilliant electro pop rework that’s full of off-kilter electronic elements and manipulated vocals.
An eye-opener for me was Barney Morse-Brown’s cover of Celine Dion’s timeless My Heart Will Go On. Switching the vocals from female to male and substituting the strings for a drum pad beat with an urban edge completely rejuvenates the track. We’re treated to a guitar solo interlude and a key change featuring beautifully haunting harmonies that stay with you long after the track’s final beat.
Mention has to also be given to the album’s first single – Craig Foreman and Chantelle Pike’s version of Massive Attack’s Teardrop. It’s a touching cover which is empathetic to the original. Foreman and Pike’s vocals meld gorgeously together and the way the percussion builds as the vocals reach choral heights is goosebump-inducing.
When speaking of In the Bath Mark Constantine said “In my head, I see each of these triple album sets as a part of my autobiography. Granted, the years 1991 to 2001 weren’t quite like the sixties and seventies, where music was so powerful in my life, but I was still listening to a lot of new music, as I still do today. These songs represent some of my very favourite artists and songs from that period. It’s a privilege to be able to commission these albums and help put them together. Everybody puts so much work into every track, and that’s what people always remark upon whenever they listen to them. Such high quality, and such a joy to be involved.”
In the Bath is a journey back to the 90s, each track retaining the nostalgia of the original but reimagined for the current era. Grab your bath bombs, it’s the perfect soundtrack to a lazy Sunday morning soak.
Have a listen to In the Bath below, available to stream now.