Allen James, the guitarist/vocalist for Brooklyn-based alt-rock trio Newborn, notes that it’s only in the last two years—and thanks to hard work with two vocal coaches—that he has been able to truly consider himself a vocalist. He cites Chris Isaak as one of his main vocal inspirations, “not just because of how amazing his voice is, but because of the amount of work he puts into it.” It’s not at all surprising then that James would record his own cover of Isaak’s “Wicked Game.”

James’ interpretation is a stripped-down version of what was already a very spare song. Accompanied solely by his acoustic guitar, James hits the same brooding baritone and soaring falsetto as Isaak to make for an altogether faithful and moody cover. Check it out below: