Not all new music is really new, as many artists cover songs. Sometimes these are songs by their favorite artists, eg as a tribute to such a musical hero for a special reason, or they simply feel that a song deserves to be dusted and polished to reacquaint fans with great songs from the past. Other times, bands cover songs as a parody. Regardless of intent, some of those cover versions are so good or so much fun, we’d like to put a spotlight on them. Chosen from a wide range, here are – in random order – ten of our favorite covers from last month – links to the pages where you can add them to your wantlist included.
We’ve already shared some worthy covers in our daily reviews—they’re part of the honorable mentions at the bottom of this post—but here we’re opting for new ones.
Sister Golden Hair || Cover: Vista Blue || Original: America
Nashville pop-punk band Vista Blue demonstrates their love for 70s mellow gold with wholehearted covers of America’s Sister Golden Hair and The Carpenters’ For All We Know. The latter is more in line with the sound you know from this spring’s Clear Eyes, Full Hearts LP, but the former is a horse of a different color—wonderfully joyful, with catchy harmonies that guarantee a big smile.
Grave Architecture || Cover: Oh Boland || Original: Pavement
Classic Hiss: Boreens & Backroads is the first of a two-part compilation project—driven by purpose: all proceeds will be donated to Palestinian aid organizations and legal aid for activism—showcasing fourteen Irish underground and DIY artists reinterpreting songs by Pavement, Silver Jews, David Berman, and Gary Young. As fans of Oh Boland’s jangly garage rock, we really dig this version of the 1995 Wowee Zowee track.
Strychnine || Cover: The Smoggers || Original: The Sonics
Chaputa! Records gathers the raw, feral energy of Spanish garage rock outfit The Smoggers on the Fuzz From The Crypt LP, compiling tracks from their 7″ releases (2016–present) alongside four unreleased cuts. The snarling vocals, primal riffs, and relentless rhythm of the originals are as hip-shaking as we’ve come to expect, and it works in this take on the iconic 1965 classic from The Sonics, too.
Make Something Happen || Cover: sparkle*jets u.k. || Original: The Flashcubes
Nearly five decades since igniting Syracuse’s new wave scene, Big Stir Records gives The Flashcubes the acclamation they deserve. An all-star lineup—including Graham Parker, The Spongetones, Sorrows, The Peppermint Kicks, The Kennedys, and more—reimagines the band’s power pop gems on the compilation Make Something Happen! A Tribute To The Flashcubes, with the title track by sparkle*jets u.k. as one of the highlights. To top it off, The Flashcubes themselves contribute some brand-new music.
Atlantic City || Cover: The City Lines feat. Ryan Allen || Original: Bruce Springsteen
Michigan punk rock band The City Lines are back with Prescribed Fires (out on ARTLAB Records), ten songs that marry lean, purposeful songwriting with themes that resonate deeply for modern parents—from climate crisis and mental health to breaking toxic cycles and reclaiming heritage. The only cover here is a restless version of one of Bruce Springsteen’s strongest songs—from the 1982 Nebraska LP—with Ryan Allen (guitar, bass, backing vocals) as an ever-welcome guest adding value.
Sorry To Keep You Waiting || Cover: Raging Nathans || Original: The Methadones
On October 10, Dayton punk rock band The Raging Nathans will release Bad Timing: Sordid Youth Vol. 3 (Brassneck Records / Rad Girlfriend Records), the latest entry in their archival series collecting singles, B-sides, compilation tracks, and unreleased recordings, showcasing the band’s consistency and identity across scattered sessions. The already available cover of The Methadones’ Sorry To Keep You Waiting (2004) underlines that promise.
Temptation Inside Your Heart || Cover: Thurston Moore || Original: The Velvet Underground
Thurston Moore celebrated the birthday of the late Velvet Underground guitarist Sterling Morrison with a cover of their song Temptation Inside Your Heart, taken from the 1985 album VU. As you might expect from the Sonic Youth co-founder, he doesn’t stick to the confines of the original, but colors way outside the lines—captivating and inspiring.
Back to Black || Cover: Structure Sounds || Original: Amy Winehouse
Providence punks Structure Sounds crank up the volume on their Stolen Sounds EP (Wiretap Records), with the band reworking songs by The Weeknd, Bad Religion, Laura Jane Grace, Osker, and Amy Winehouse—true to their live sets, where covers are a staple. This version of Back to Black surprises the most.
Jesus, Etc. || Cover: Margaret Glaspy feat. Norah Jones || Original: Wilco
Beautiful indie folk with heartfelt vocals and acoustic melodies, anyone? New York-based singer-songwriter Margaret Glaspy returns with The Golden Heart Protector (ATO), a seven-song covers album featuring songs originally by Lucinda Williams, Rufus Wainwright, Magnetic Fields, Nico, CCR, Blake Mills, and Wilco—joined by friends and collaborators including Norah Jones, James Bay, Madison Cunningham, Andrew Bird, and Julian Lage. This one rightly earned Jeff Tweedy’s praise: “So beautiful. Made me cry quite a bit.”
Girl, So Confusing || Cover: Hinds || Original: Charli XCX
Spanish garage surf band Hinds celebrate the one-year anniversary of their Viva Hinds LP with a shimmering studio version of Girl, So Confusing, taken from Charli XCX’s hit album Brat. They’ve been playing it live for a while now, and for good reason: “Everything about this song resonates with us. (…) It made history for music and for women.”
Also worth mentioning:
Beat On the Brat (Ramones) by The Etc’s [from Brat EP]
Emily (John Cale) by Cool Whip [from Flame in My Heart LP]
For The First Time (Mac DeMarco) by The Sophs
Heart to Heart, Face to Face (The Twins) by Lisa Beat and The Liars [from Gimme Another Try 7″]
I Just Get Caught Out (The Go-Betweens) by Nervous Complaint [from Covers #1: New Jersey vs. Australia]
In My Head (Doughboys) by For Closure [from Take Two EP]
I Only Want To Be With You (Dusty Springfield) by Benny J Ward [from Super! LP]
I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For (U2) by Iron & Wine & Ben Bridwell [from Making Good Time EP]
My Music at Work (The Tragically Hip) by Nap Eyes [from Aquarium Drunkard’s Lagniappe Session]
No More Tears (Ozzy Osbourne) by Brass Against
Satan’s Holiday (The Lancasters) by The Surfrajettes [from Double Feature 7″]
Sorry Suzanne (The Hollies) by The Terminal Buildings [from Further Transcriptions: A Binful of Bonus LP]
Suffering Jukebox (Silver Jews) by Coal Canary [from Where Were You single]
Take Me In Your Arms (Cindy Walker) by Melissa Carper [from It’s All Her Fault tribute]
Takin’ Care of Business (Bachman-Turner Overdrive) by The Bo Derek’s [from Working Class R&R LP]
Turn! Turn! Turn! (Pete Seeger) by Dead Links ft. Jenny Spiders [from We Could Be Dangerous: A Compilation Album For Gaza]
Temptation Inside Your Heart (The Velvet Underground) by Thurston Moore
What’d I Say (Ray Charles) by The 5.6.7.8’s feat. Miss Ludella Black [from Beat Girls EP]
Check out our Dusted playlist on Spotify for more worthy cover songs.
Thanks for the Coal Canary love!