Review: UV and the Rays’ “Rayos”

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May 252026
 

RayosThe surf-rock cover is not quite as popular as the pop-punk cover or the slow piano cover, but it still a tradition with a long, rich lineage. And that tradition brings certain expectations. Toronto surf trio UV and the Rays both honor and subvert that tradition on their latest EP, Rayos, their second.

On their first record, UV and the Rays mostly stuck to a single time period, taking almost all of the material from the 1970s, with one track from the ’60s and one mash-up. This time, they’ve gone a little further afield, tackling everything from Johnny Cash to ’90s Cher, though they still include two (diverse) songs from the ’70s. And, much like the first record, they conclude things with an unexpected mashup.
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Prince Royce Puts Bachata Twist on Backstreet Boys Hit

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Dec 162025
 
Prince Royce

Meet Prince Royce (Geoffrey Royce Rojas), the American singer who blends the sounds of Latin music with R&B, bachata, and more, along with a sprinkle of pop. He went wildfire over a decade ago for his cover of “Stand By Me.” And now he’s a global sensation. One of his more recent covers, “I Want It That Way,” takes a tune from 1999 and turns it bachata.

So, what is bachata anyway? This unique Dominican genre often includes Spanish-style guitar, bolero, and dance-worthy rhythms. Traditionally, a bachata song has romantic lyrics, which makes this new cover of “I Want It That Way” even more fitting.
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The Best Cover Songs of August & September 2025

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Sep 302025
 
Best Cover Songs
Benson Boone — When We Were Young (Adele cover)

Benson Boone gets clowned on, but dude can sing (and, yes, backflip). “When We Were Young” is not exactly an easy song to nail. But, at a tour stop in Columbus, he did just that—one of many covers he’s been doing on the road.

BRAINSTORM — The Boys Of Summer (Don Henley cover)

Every summer comes, inevitably, more “Boys of Summer” covers. This metal-ish version comes from German power-metal vets BRAINSTORM (all caps so you know they’re serious). Singer Andy B. Franck says: “Even though ‘The Boys Of Summer’ deals with rather nostalgic themes of ‘summer love’ and the memory of a past relationship, for me – at the time a 13-year-old – it was, beyond the metal anthems of the 80s, a great song that I associated with summer, girls and the corresponding feeling for many, many years…Even today, this song still evokes great memories for me, and since it’s also a song about questioning the past, this track fits perfectly into our times.” Continue reading »

Downcast Covers Backstreet Boys’ “Just Want You to Know” with a Twist

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Sep 242025
 
Downcast

“Just Want You to Know” was first released by the Backstreet Boys in 2005, and is the second single off the album Never Gone. Known for its straight-up rock sound, this track features vocal ad-libs and features an official music video that recreates the ’80s to a T. The melody is simple, earwormish, backed up by a steady underlying eighth-note rhythm and sturdy, catchy beat.

Downcast of Bristol, England, took this nostalgic song and ran with it. They’ve made it sonically tailored for all those ’90s and early 2000s kids out there. Now, “Just Want You to Know” is a love song that has been imbued with a touch of angst. While the basic shell of the song is the same, these artists have now added harmonies, vocal distortion, and a deeper, richer, and more prominent bassline. Continue reading »

Blind Channel Get Ready for Halloween with Metal Backstreet Boys Cover

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Sep 252024
 
blind channel

The Finnish metal scene’s breadth, depth and vibrancy means it can be difficult to stick out from the crowd. Blind Channel have found a path and have been making their way successfully for a decade, and are currently on a European Tour. They have just released a fan-favorite live song, their modified version of Backstreet Boys’ “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back),” to mark the dates. Continue reading »

Coldplay Lead Sing-Along Cover of “Backstreet’s Back” in Gothenburg

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Jul 192023
 
coldplay backstreets back

At a recent show in Gothenburg, Sweden, English pop superstars Coldplay led the crowd in a rousing rendition of the Backstreet Boys’ 1997 hit, “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back).” Played during the last quarter of their set, between an acoustic version of “In my Place” and the track “Humankind” from their most recent album, lead singer Chris Martin begins by playing around on the piano to arrive at the iconic melody line. Continue reading »

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