Anna Prior — No More Drama (Mary J. Blige cover)
Metronomy drummer Anna Prior is back with a new EP, Firefly. The first single is a cover of the Mary J Blige classic. “I’ve wanted to do a cover song for a long time and I just never found the right one that fit with my sound,” Prior wrote. “The overall tone and feeling of the original fit so well with the ‘A minor’ theme of the EP that I just couldn’t resist. It’s a song that shaped my late teenage years and I really hope I’ve done it justice and I don’t get sued.” [Editor’s note: You won’t. That’s not how covers work…]
Bonnie “Prince” Billy — Trustfall (Pink cover)
Last December, the prolific Bonnie “Prince” Billy hopped onstage with Yo La Tengo to cover—of all people—current Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominee Pink. The song was a pretty deep cut too, a single from 2023. Will Oldham must really like that song, because he’s returned to it again in a solo incarnation. As if that combo wasn’t wild enough, add this one: This video was recorded at the early 18th-century pub The Lamb in Bloomsbury London, regular haunt of Charles Dickens.
Bruce Springsteen — A Rainy Night in Soho (The Pogues cover)
This coming November, a new tribute album to Pogues lead singer and songwriter Shane MacGowan will be released. And to announce the album, a new recording featuring Bruce Springsteen‘s take on The Pogues’ “A Rainy Night in Soho” has been released. Springsteen’s version is a little slower than the original, and opens quieter, with just a piano, but a full band comes in, adding a lilting sound to the song, which sees it through the end. No matter the rearranged instrumentation, the melancholy, which makes the original so memorable, remains. (from our writeup)
Death Pose — Deep Cut (Local H cover)
Last year, alt-rock vets Local H reimagined their debut record Ham Fisted, re-recording and rearranging it for the 30th anniversary. It’s as close as you can get to covering yourself. It turns out the ‘90s Local H reworkings weren’t over. Their Chicago compatriots Death Pose tackle a, well, deep cut off the band’s hits album Pack Up the Cats. They up the energy even further, giving it a hardcore edge.
Mary Chapin Carpenter & The Mountain Goats — Put the Message in the Box (World Party cover)
On a new double-sided single, two unlikely acts teamed up: Veteran country songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter and indie-rock cult heroes The Mountain Goats. Carpenter explained:
John Darnielle and I have been friends for many years now; he’s been a dedicated correspondent and ally in all topics connected to songwriting, recording, touring and the balancing act that a life involving these pursuits requires. He also very kindly joined me in conversation on my podcast a few years back to talk about hope — what it means to him, what it looks like from where he stands, and the challenges of maintaining it in the times we are living in. To have collaborated on these two favorite songs with John and the Mountain Goats has been a joy and a gift — joining our voices, singing these words from other favorite artists, and feeling the music deeply.
Megan Moroney — Best of Both Worlds (Miley Cyrus cover)
Hannah Montana turned 20 this month, and star Miley Cyrus did a big TV special looking back at it. I can’t say I paid much attention to any of that until this cover of the show’s theme song by country star Megan Moroney crossed my Google Alerts. It’s a great, country-rock pop song that reminds me of Kelly Clarkson gone Nashville.
My Ticket Home — Army of Me (Björk cover)
Do we need to redo our recent Best Björk Covers Ever list? This aggro-metal screaming “Army of Me” wouldn’t be at the top, but it’s a throat-shredding jolt of energy.
St. Vincent — Grace (Jeff Buckley cover)
At a March 4th show at the 280-seat club Little Saint in California, St. Vincent performed an emotional cover of “Grace.” Introducing the song by saying, “I love this song, that’s all,” Annie Clark played the song for the second time publicly. (She also played it at a surprise show in Los Angeles the week before, but no cameras were allowed.) Like any Jeff Buckley song, it was an emotional performance, and St. Vincent was able to bring her own voice to Buckley’s wordless sections, bringing you in closer and closer to the performance. (from our writeup)
Turnstile — I Wanna Be Adored (The Stones Roses cover)
When they stopped by Australian radio station Triple J on a tour down under, post-hardcore stars Turnstile busted out a Stone Roses cover. “It’s got one of the most iconic bass lines of all time,” guitarist Meg Mills said. “I think it’s so powerful in its simplicity. With the passing of Mani [bassist of the Stone Roses], it felt like a really appropriate time to pay homage to him. They’re such an iconic band, and in my opinion, probably the coolest of the Manchester bands coming out at that time.” They then reprised it at a concert in—where else—Manchester.
The Veronicas — 12 to 12 (Sombr cover)
We’ve heard some covers by Gen Z popstar newcomer Sombr. Just last month, he covered Olivia Dean on this same show. Now, Australian sister duo The Veronicas take the “Like a Version” stage to rock out one of Sombr’s signature tunes. They’re wearing some incredible faux-fur coats. I like the YouTube comment: “they are like fancy vampires.”
The Best of the Rest
Chris Robinson — Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song) (Otis Redding cover)
CHVRCHES — Such Great Heights (The Postal Service cover)
Dahlia Fiend — Personal Jesus (Depeche Mode cover)
Harry Styles — Everybody Wants To Rule The World (Tears For Fears cover)
In Strict Confidence — Blasphemous Rumours (Depeche Mode cover)
Light the Moon — Wonderwall (Oasis cover)
mad/no/mad — Basket Case (Green Day cover)
Matt Berninger & Rosanne Cash — Who Loves The Sun (The Velvet Underground cover)
Mungo’s Hi Fi x Aziza Jaye — That Thing (Lauryn Hill cover)
Olivia Rodrigo — The Book of Love (The Magnetic Fields cover)
Rose Cousins — Cold (Annie Lennox cover)
Sammy Kay — Jump (Van Halen cover)
Snak — Hey Bulldog (The Beatles cover)
Sudan Archives — Cherish The Day (Sade Cover)
Check out previous months’ best covers lists.
