This week, Scottish rock veterans Biffy Clyro covered “Golden,” from the soundtrack of the Netflix animated film KPop Demon Hunters for Radio One’s Live Lounge. The cover is definitely in the running for the most surprising crossover of this year. Their performance arrives as Biffy Clyro releases their tenth studio album, Futique.
“Golden” is a globally charting, high-energy pop single. The powerhouse vocals are performed by the fictional K-pop group HUNTR/X (voiced by EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami in the film). A contemporary K-pop song is a potentially strange choice for an alternative rock band, but the fun of an interesting cover is unexpected crossovers and interpretations.
After performing their new single, “A Little Love,” Biffy Clyro created an acoustic arrangement of the pop hit. Guitarist and vocalist Simon Neil scaled the complex vocal runs of the original with surprising dexterity, supported by the melodic backing vocals and gentle rhythms from the Johnston twins, James and Ben. It’s a captivating addition to Biffy Clyro’s long history of excellent cover performances.
