When 'Bittersweet' made its unofficial YouTube debut (and also its UK radio debut) it was in the guise of its full Freemasons club version. The huge synth line dominated the track and it felt dangerously tense and thrilling. It was like early 80s synth pop being lovingly recreated as anthemic, melodic house music.
Strangely, the CD single version does not contain that mix of the track. The standard radio mix has a differently feel entirely - with the melody taking centre stage and the busy production doing more to punctuate the verses. That overwhelming synth line is buried within the mix, merely hinted at after each chorus. Sophie's vocals are as deliciously haughty and unreadable as ever; she is able to inject the lyrics with a sense of unease, the feeling that there is a lot more going on just beneath the surface. This mix is initially far less exciting but, given time, grows in stature and has the greater emotional pull.
Second track 'Sophia Loren' is currently unavailable elsewhere and some may feel that this gives value to the CD single. Musically, it's more in keeping with Sophie's 'indie pop' sensibilities and its stuttery, jerky stucture leaves me a little cold.
The download bundle includes the Freemasons club version and also a (rather poor) Jodie Harsh mix.
