
A hazy, slowed-down reimagining that trades psych-pop shimmer for urban solitude. Dev Hynes wraps Kevin Parker’s vocals in velvet synths and a deep, nocturnal groove.
September 25, 2020 · Island Records Australia
This remix is the sonic equivalent of the blue hour, that specific moment when the night has ended but the sun hasn't quite committed to rising. Where the original version of Borderline was a jittery, percussion-heavy exploration of anxiety on the dancefloor, Dev Hynes transforms it into a slow-motion drift through a city that has finally gone to sleep. It is a masterclass in subtraction; by stripping away the bright, shimmering layers of Kevin Parker’s production, Hynes reveals a core of profound loneliness and introspection that was previously hidden behind the disco beat. The instrumentation is defined by a thick, rounded bassline that feels like it is being played through a heavy curtain, providing a rhythmic anchor that is more of a pulse than a drive. The synths are no longer neon-streaked but are instead washed in tape saturation and reverb, creating a hazy, dreamlike atmosphere that feels both intimate and expansive. Dev Hynes adds his own vocal textures, layering breathy harmonies that act as a ghostly counterpoint to Parker’s lead, making the track feel like a shared secret between two of modern music’s most distinctive architects. Owning this remix is essential for those who find beauty in the comedown. It is a track designed for the solitary listener, someone who prefers the quiet hum of a late-night walk to the roar of a crowd. It captures a specific mood of urban solitude: the feeling of being completely alone in a place designed for millions.
How does Borderline (Blood Orange Remix) sound next to the rest of Tame Impala's catalogue?
It runs markedly cooler and more held-back than this artist's baseline.
Cassette uses generative AI to enrich its catalog. How we use AI →