Xiu Xiu’s latest full length release sees them covering a collection of tracks ranging from the likes of Talking Heads, Soft Cell and Robyn, bringing them into their own twisted world.
COVERS ALBUM?
Coming off of the back of their critically acclaimed previous album, 13″ Frank Beltrame Italian Stiletto with Bison Horn Grips, Xiu Xiu have returned with a record entirely made up of covers. However, it’s not like the band are new to cover versions. For example, their take on Tracy Chapman’s Fast Car appeared on their 2003 album, A Promise. They have taken on many other songs over the years too, being able to mould them into their own wicked style. Just by seeing the track list to this latest release, I was eagerly anticipating what the band were going to do with this eclectic selection of tracks. Yet, I knew there was no way I could prepare myself for what was in store, as Xiu Xiu are anything but predictable.
The album opens with the Talking Heads classic Psycho Killer. The band are able to harness the original track’s irresistible groove with more of an unsettling and almost overwhelming atmosphere throughout. Frontman Jamie Stewart’s tortured vocals edge just slightly out of the disruptive instrumental, before emerging completely in the song’s iconic “fa-fa-fa-fa, fa-fa-fa, fa-fa-fa” lyric. It’s a moment that jumps out of the madness and speaks directly to the listener. As a fan of the band, the cover reminded me of some of the work on their 2017 album FORGET. They’ve managed to make such an infamous song completely their own, starting the album off fantastically.
WARM LEATHERETTE
We then reach Warm Leatherette, a much sparser moment opening with a repeated classic drum machine groove. The song feels tense with various synth sounds firing away as it progresses. The vocal effects on Jamie’s voice are great, with slight pitch shifting at times. The hypnotising drum groove from the song’s start continues throughout, keeping the listener tethered as the rest of the track gets wilder and more intense. As it ends, it pulls the listener right out of its world before launching them into the next track.
Up next is I Put a Spell on You, which raises the intensity of the record. The opening explosive rhythm fires away. It’s paired with a distorted and uncontrolled performance from Jamie that is almost manic yet enthralling throughout. The track is noisy and unforgiving and will stop you in your tracks even after repeated listens.
As the album continues, we reach a much softer moment with the band’s cover of Roy Orbison’s In Dreams. It shows perfectly how dynamic Xiu Xiu are as a band. Over the first few songs, we’ve gone from oddly groovy to harsh and almost scary. This track reflects the beauty that the band are able to create through their sound. It feels completely human and purely emotional. A wonderful moment that is sequenced masterfully in the album.
We are then pelted back into the madness with the pulsating cover of Soft Cell’s Sex Dwarf. The track is glitchy and danceable throughout, sounding unlike anything Xiu Xiu have done before. I love the acid bass sounds that add to the song’s captivating pulse backing Jamie’s almost confrontationally confident vocal delivery. Xiu Xiu is unpredictable at the best of times, but this track had my mouth wide open throughout. I had no clue where it was going to go next, yet I enjoyed every single second.
DANCING ON MY OWN
Dancing On My Own is another reflection of Xiu Xiu’s vulnerability that makes their music so enticing to delve into. So far on the album, the band have really been flexing their production muscles, but this song gives Jamie a chance to really shine vocally. His performance is one of a kind, completely human and mesmerising. With the longest run time of any song on the album, it lets itself really sink into the listener’s brain. It’s a track that you want to jump right back into as soon as it’s over.
As the album continues, we reach possibly the most surprising cover with their take on Memphis rap artist GloRilla’s Lick Or Sum. Whilst it can be startling and almost humorous to hear Jamie take on the outrageous lyrical content, the band are able to create a soundscape that meshes so well together and creates a completely fresh take on the track.
The album closes with a banger. Cherry Bomb is an industrial and relentless rendition of The Runaways original song. The instrumental doesn’t stop powering away at the listener until its dying moment as the album comes to an end. The fierce and almost animated performance from Jamie is a highlight from the record too.
This album is a truly wild listen front to back, that I can say confidently is going to be unlike anything else released this year. It has such a wide range of influences and sounds that come together to create an original and utterly enjoyable listening experience. Xiu Xiu have another wonderful edition to the extensive discography.
Listen to Dancing On My Own from the album here:
Xiu Xiu: Website