Skinner releases gritty, guitar-fuelled cover of synthwave cult classic 'Eisbär'

Photo: Niamh Barry

Fresh from the release of his critically acclaimed debut album 'New Wave Vaudeville', Irish no-wave provocateur Skinner returns with a bold reinterpretation of the 1980s synthwave staple 'Eisbär'—originally recorded by Swiss band Grauzone.

Where the original shimmered with icy synths and new wave minimalism, Skinner injects his version with raw energy, replacing the chilly electronics with scorching guitar riffs and thunderous drums. The result is a brash, emotionally charged reimagining that channels the isolation at the heart of the song into something grittier and more visceral.

“I’ve always had a real fondness for the song since I was a teenager,” Skinner shares. “When translated to English the lyrics are so stark, and I think it really captures the beauty and sadness of what it means to be lonely. The idea of wanting to be a polar bear alone in the Arctic so you ‘wouldn’t have to cry any longer and everything would be fine’ is so striking—and I think a lot of people can relate to that feeling of isolation.”