We bid farewell to 2023 one last time with a bumper selection of covers released towards the end of last year. Ranging from the amazing to the downright bizarre, these tracks have left a lasting impression on us. For the full playlist click here.
Duran Duran – Bury A Friend
Few of the bands that spearheaded the New Romantics movement are still active, let alone releasing new music. Duran Duran has pushed on from their early ’80s breakthrough and subsequent ’90s revival, continuing to release new music well into this decade. Their latest release, ‘Danse Macabre,’ arrived in October, perfectly timed for Halloween. The album, a ghoulish celebration, features several covers, with perhaps the most standout being their spooky rendition of Billie Eilish‘s “Bury A Friend.“ Former members Warren Cuccurullo and Andy Taylor, join the ensemble, creating a reunion of haunting proportions. Duran Duran’s keyboardist Nick Rhodes describes “Danse Macabre” as a celebration of Halloween’s joy and madness, a sentiment vividly echoed in their masterful rendition of “Bury A Friend.”
Sleaford Mods – West End Girls
Sleaford Mods take a gritty detour through the neon-lit landscape of ’80s synthpop with a cover of Pet Shop Boys‘ iconic “West End Girls.” The Mods‘ take, released as a limited-edition single with remixes, is a compelling clash of worlds—urban realism meets electronic nostalgia. The track, approved and remixed by Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe, oozes with homage and grittiness. Proceeds going to Shelter make this release even more impactful.
The Japanese House – Super Trouper
The Japanese House, aka Amber Bain, took on ABBA‘s ‘Super Trouper‘ on her latest ‘ITEIAD Sessions’ EP, and the result is nothing short of transformative. Stripped-back and poignant, Bain‘s rendition turns the ’80s anthem into a melancholy piano ballad. The six-track EP, an acronym of her latest album, ‘In The End It Always Does,‘ offers a mix of live recordings of familiar singles. Bain not only showcases her versatility with a new live version of ‘Boyhood‘ but closes the EP by making an ABBA classic feel utterly brand new. Forget the campy keys and backing vocals; Bain spotlights the verses, delivering a powerful exploration of burnout and the ephemeral nature of fame. In a stroke of genius, The Japanese House turns ‘Super Trouper‘ into a soul-stirring experience.
Edie Yvonne – “No Rain”
Edie Yvonne has already wowed us in the past with her poignant single “In The Rain“. Now she returns to these pages with another precipitation-based song- her rendition of Blind Melon‘s “No Rain“. In this hauntingly beautiful cover, Yvonne, under the guidance of producer Douglas Boehm, transforms the original into a melancholic gem. Her vocals weave through the laidback arrangement and slowed-down tempo seamlessly. Yvonne injects vulnerability into the song, adding a new layer of depth to the song and shining a new light on Shannon Hoon‘s poignant lyrics. Stay tuned for an upcoming interview with this Los Angeles star in the making.
Gogol Bordello – Solidarity
In their latest venture, Gogol Bordello ignites a poignant connection with the past while addressing present struggles in their cover of Angelic Upstarts‘ “Solidarity,” featuring the masterful Bernard Sumner of New Order. Frontman Eugene Hütz, the frontman, hails the collaboration as “truly epic and timely,” encapsulating the song’s dual significance. The release marks the revival of Hütz‘s Casa Gogol Records, promising exciting 2024 releases. As they delve into this iconic ’70s punk classic, Gogol Bordello infuse it with modern relevance amidst Ukraine‘s ongoing challenges.
Tori Amos & Trevor Horn – “Swimming Pools (Drank)”
Trevor Horn‘s latest album, ‘Echoes: Ancient & Modern‘, encapsulates his unique take on musical legends, with Tori Amos joining him to reimagine Kendrick Lamar‘s 2012 hit, “Swimming Pools (Drank).” Amos, renowned for her inventive covers, works her magic, turning Lamar‘s psyched-up swagger into a moody, modern piano ballad. Horn, the maestro behind The Buggles and Art of Noise, describes the track as a ‘literate, modern American standard,’ setting the stage for a captivating song delivery. The collaboration transforms the rap anthem into an intense experience that surprises.
Cigarettes After Sex – “Motion Picture Soundtrack”
Cigarettes After Sex delicately envelop Radiohead‘s “Motion Picture Soundtrack” in their trademark ethereal dream-pop embrace. The band’s leader, Greg Gonzalez, stumbled upon a rare solo rendition from 1997, igniting a desire to capture its exquisite simplicity. Recorded alongside other gems in 2015, this cover patiently sat on a hard drive somewhere until now. Bursting with gauzy textures, the rendition not only pays homage but adds a distinct perspective to Radiohead‘s dystopian meditation on death and the afterlife. Gonzalez’s meticulous approach transforms this cover into a poignant reinterpretation of a musical classic.
