Premiere: Nina Persson - Sometimes (Grin Cover)

Nina Persson did a raw take on Nils Lofgren and Grin's 1972 hit Sometimes for her solo debut album Animal Heart earlier this year. She however kept it as a bonus track for the Japanese market. For Record Store Day her version sees a limited edition release of just 300 copies happen on a white vinyl 7". Nice! Album closer This Is Heavy Metal is on the flip side. We love that where Nils' voice sounds airy and unhurt Nina adds a new dimension of depth and knowledge. He was just over 20 when he recorded the original and Nina turns 40 in September. Those extra years lived makes a rich flower bed of memories and experiences that clearly can be heard in her amazing delivery. We're playing both versions back to back and will continue to do so - the different perspectives make for a truly great listen! Enjoooy!  

Bruce Springsteen - Royals (Lorde Cover)

We love when artists out on tour change up the setlist to tap into the local flavour. Also, we love when people have a finger on the pulse of things. Both came together beautifully last night when Bruce Springsteen surprised the audience in Auckland, New Zealand by opening his show with a solo performance of local superstar Lorde's Royals. Yes, classic harmonica and all! We love that his vocal is on point to. He's clearly listened to this track a lot. Nice! The song's topic is actually perfect for the Springsteen songbook - money, working class and dreaming of big things. Safe to say the crowd went wild, and so would we. Nice, nice! Check it out below! 

Emel Mathlouthi - All Is Full of Love (Björk Cover)

Knowing that several of Tunisian singer Emel Mathlouthi's original songs are protest songs and anthems for the Tunisian and Egyptian revolutions this cover plays straight into our heart. Her sublime live version of Björk's eternal All Is Full of Love is filled to the brim with love, light and hope. The acoustics of the venue bounce off Emel's voice and we're getting celestial feelings listening - we know Björk would love too. Such a nice and relaxing moment, but also an important one. Knowing that there is love in absolute darkness and despair when your world is in uproar is important to rememeber. When the title is repeated over and over it feels like a chant and a spiritual lesson. Near the end Emel's voice soars high above and it's like her spirit breaks free from man-made chains. Love is truly like a wild flower, it can grow in the harshes conditions and even break through the pavement if it has to. Enjoy and grab the free download below.

Ane Brun Feat. Linnea Olsson - Halo (Beyoncé Cover)

We love it when amazing Ane Brun takes on well known songs. Luckily for us she does that often. She has incredible taste in music to choose them of course. But then something magical happens. Ane has this thing of completely making them her own, infusing the songs with her unique sound. What comes next is what we love the most. While she transforms classic songs into something new and thrilling, she makes us realize how much we love the originals to begin with. That takes a true musician loving her own body of work we think! Beyoncé's grandly produced show closer Halo becomes a sweet, tender and sunny love poem impossible not to love. By her side is pop cellist Linnea Olsson who adds lovely sunbeams with her craft, and near the end she lends her beautiful husky voice as well. This gem can be found on Rarities which collects some truly wonderful covers including her Björk and Leonard Cohen ones. It's out now! Click here and here for some more amazing Brun covers! Thoughts?

CHVRCHES - It's Not Right But It's Okay (Whitney Houston Cover)

Glasgow synthpop trio CHVRCHES take on Whitney Houston's power vocals and Rodney Jerkins legendary production on their cover of 1998 masterpiece It's Not Right But It's Okay. It's totally left field and we love it + and this is a big +, we finally have a chance to actually be able to sing along to this baby. :D OK, so it's not as powerful as the original but it certainly is sweet and the dirty live arrangement for BBC's Radio 1 will make for a perfect tour staple come fall. Listen belooow! Thoughts?