With his “Tender” remix, Cornelius made an already great Blur song even better

In Hear This, A.V. Club writers sing the praises of songs they know well—some inspired by a weekly theme and some not, but always songs worth hearing.

For a rock band, Blur has released a ton of remixes of its tracks, the vast majority of which have been pretty solid. Cornelius’ take on “Tender” is especially stellar, though. Appearing first as a B-side on 1999’s No Distance Left To Run single, the track showcases the Japanese producer’s flair for enchanting minimalism. While the original “Tender” smacks listeners over the head with its almost overwhelmingly lush take on love, the remix is more intimate, more personal, and just feels a little more special. It’s the sonic equivalent of a sweet little handwritten love note rather than a mass-marketed Valentine’s card. Not to take away from the greatness of the original, but Cornelius’ take on the track is so enchanting that, if listened to enough, it has the potential to take over the hearts and minds of even the most die-hard Blur purists. Maybe that’s why so many other artists have had Cornelius remix their stuff. He’s just that good.