NEGATIVE BLISS - Wicked Game (Review)

In a continuing attempt to cover more music that would all-too-oft slip through the very large cracks, we slumbering scribes are making an effort to publish short reviews at a greater frequency, thereby shining our very small spotlight on more cool shit. Without further ado: even more Negative Bliss. 

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Written by: The Administrator

The best cover I've heard of Chris Isaak's oft-covered "Wicked Game" was performed by a country-tinged singer-songwriter at my local park's summer concert series. I was utterly engrossed by her aching tone. The atmosphere was chaotic as only a park at a family-friendly event can be. The rendition was imperfectly perfect, imbued with a feel-it-in-your-bones permeation that exists solely in a live environment. It was a once in a  lifetime experience, really. The recorded version isn't nearly as potent. With that said: the second best cover I've heard of Chris Isaak's oft-covered "Wicked Game" is performed by perennial Sleeping Village favorites Negative Bliss.

As made immediately evident, this is a particularly gloomy and doomed-out take on the original. It embraces sizable breadth and a somber harshness that affords the track an unexpected emotional core.

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As mentioned, it's made obvious very quickly that this track is unlike the original. The track opens with colossal speaker-rending fuzz that promptly dies down into soft melody as the tide recedes. And then it all crashes back with an angsty ferocity, feeling like a tsunami of tears slamming into the interior of my closed eyelids. When it comes to heavy music, these are the musical moments I live for. In very few tracks, Negative Bliss have mastered the art of creating these dynamic moments that burst forth cataclysmically when the soft meets the hard, the quiet meets the loud, the light meets the dark. The resulting ebb and flow is wonderfully kinetic, and their willingness to play with extremes is always appreciated. In this case, it makes an intrinsically downtrodden interpretation of the song feel good to experience. There's a very interesting emotional complexity lurking in that juxtaposition.
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​Speaking of juxtaposition, the vocals here are excellent. We're primarily treated to some lovely cleans that practically drip in vulnerable sorrow. However, the chorus reveals another emotion underneath the sadness: a smoldering and seething anger that bursts forth through the cleans, spewing aggression as it stakes its claim in the heart of the track. There's so much weight here, and once the emotional layers reveal themselves, it becomes clear that this interpretation is its own unique beast. In other words: this stands apart as a remarkably effective cover in the sea of "Wicked Game" covers. I love a unique perspective, and here, Negative Bliss deliver yet again. And I suspect that if I hear it live, this interpretation will claim that top spot.

Give "Wicked Game" a listen below! As with "Lovesong," the previous cover track released by Negative Bliss (reviewed by yours truly here!)​ all proceeds from this track will be donated to Trans Lifeline.

Negative Bliss - Wicked Game was released Sept. 5th, 2025

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Negative Bliss can be found at their Website, Bandcamp, and Ampwall