The split 7″ where bands cover each other’s songs is a proud indie rock tradition, and we now have a new entry into the canon. Prrotomarty and Preoccupations, two likeminded postpunk bands from cold and desolate corners North America, recently went off on a co-headlining tour together. And today, they’ve released the new split Telemetry At Howe Bridge, on which they leave their own marks on each other’s tracks.
“Pontiac 87″ originally showed up on Protomartyr’s 2015 album The Agent Intellect, and it’s a sinuous and brooding song, a little less splenetically word-heavy than a lot of other Protomartyr joints. That makes it perfect for Preoccupations, who hone in on the song’s heady churn and inject a bit more Joy Division-style dread into it.
Cellist and singer Kelsey Lu‘s experimental, labyrinthian music has spellbound listeners and earned her admiration and collaborations with some of biggest names in pop and R&B — Solange, Sampha, Florence And The Machine, Dev Hynes, and more. Lu’s latest track, released today, is technically a cover, but her version makes you forget all about the original. Lu’s version of 10cc’s yacht-rock classic “I’m Not In Love” is gorgeous and sprawling. It’s a showcase for Lu’s voice, which is excellent, and sometimes under-appreciated amid the praise for her cello wizardry. Lu co-directed the dreamy, DIY-aesthetic video for the song with artist Alima Lee.
The London based Ibibio Sound Machine specializes in a heady, intoxicating afro funk that redefines world music and gives it a fresh twist. Their record, Eyio, is a four song EP that features three fine originals an impressive, out of this world cover of The Cure‘s classic song, “A Forest.” It’s probably one of the finest covers of a Robert Smith song you’ll ever hear, one that leaves you wanting to hear it again and again and again, thanks in part to the band’s groove and the gorgeous vocals of Eno Williams.
Back in September, Muse recorded a cover of Duran Duran’s iconic 1982 track “Hungry Like The Wolf” for French music show Taratata, and the audio has finally been made widely available on YouTube.
The synth-pop powerhouse track fits perfectly with the tunes off of their latest album Simulation Theory, which are tinted with nostalgia and 80s style melodies. Muse’s rendition stays pretty true to the original anthemic song, as it’s led by the same legendary guitar riff.
Back in October, Matthew Houck released a new album for his folk-rock project Phosphorescent. C’est La Vie is his first new album since 2013’s Muchacho. He went on Sirius XMU to perform a new cover of Radiohead’s “House Of Cards” from their 2007 album In Rainbows. His is an acoustic, stripped down interpretation of the track.
Perfume Genius has been relatively quiet this year. Bar releasing ‘Reshaped’, a remix album of songs from last year’s ‘No Shape’, there’s not been much on the menu for Mike Hadreas.
The singer has now shared a new cover though, of ‘Not For Me’ from ’60s singer Bobby Darin.
Héloïse Letissier, the French singer-songwriter and producer behind Christine And The Queens, came out with a new album, Chris, back in September. Now, she’s back with her rendition of Sade’s classic “No Ordinary Love.”
Letissier’s version updates the original’s soulful R&B with fractured bass and sharp production. Sade broke her seven-year hiatus earlier this year with a new single. Christine And The Queens’ excellent homage underscores Sade’s legacy and solidifies Letissier’s unique pop perspective.
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