WATCH: Miley Cyrus And More Release Exciting Covers Of Rock Classics

Whether it’s stripped, acoustic versions of radio hits or fully revamped takes on classics, covers have always been an excellent and exciting way for artists to pay homage to one another while also showcasing their talent and love for music. Through covers, artists show that they are fans of music just like the rest of us. Quarantine has seen a rise in the release of covers for both fun and fundraising purposes. Covers can also highlight an artist’s unique sound when contrasted with the original. Some of the best covers are the ones where the performance is a totally fresh take on a classic hit which Miley Cyrus, Princess Goes To The Butterfly Museum, and Alex Frew have recently done.

The bold, indie trio Princess Goes To The Butterfly Museum comprised of Michael C. Hall (Dexter, Hedwig and The Angry Inch), Pete Yanowitz (The Wallflowers, Morningwood), and former Blondie band member Matthew Katz-Bohen covered “Cruel World” by Phantogram, marrying their intense, glamrock sound perfectly with Phantogram’s signature alternative/electronic vibe. They bring a heavy rock intensity to the original, more dialed-back track that channels the themes of the song all the more surely. They capitalize on key moments of thrashing bass notes against the relative softness of other moments of the track to send the chorus into overdrive.

The video for “Cruel World” finds Princess Goes To The Butterfly Museum at one with nature. Hands eerily appear behind tress, and the band members are surrounded by moss and fallen branches while staring out longingly into the distance. The scenes are uncanny and engaging, much like the rest of the band’s provocative and edgy messages that are seen in their previous releases “Eat An Eraser” and “Ketamine.” These tracks and the recent cover all provide an exciting buildup to the release of Princess Goes To The Butterfly Museum’s first album on February 12, 2021.

While Princess Goes To The Butterfly Museum took their cover and turned up the intensity to the max, Alex Frew took a more dialed-back approach that will still blow you away with his cover of “In The Air Tonight” by Phil Collins. It was certainly a bold choice as Phil Collins is one of the most respected figures in rock music, and Frew truly honors that legacy by adding his own unique pop/electronic sound. He creates an incredible amount of tension with the cool passion of the track that reimagines the sound of the original recording while adding something new and exciting. One of Alex Frew’s strongest qualities is his beautiful, clear voice on full display in this cover through the soaring melodies and dialed back instrumentation.

Of his cover, Frew commented: “I think there’s a reason that this track is still culturally relevant several decades after its release. There is simply something special about the slow burning track leading up to that magical drum fill. It’s just a masterclass in all aspects.”

Alex Frew has been working on his music all his life. By the time he was in high school, the Canadian singer had already signed a development deal with Warner Music where he worked closely with Lowell and Joel Stouffer of Dragonette to help him craft his uniquely raw and intimate sound. Although he is relatively new to the scene, he has already pulled in hundreds of thousands of streams with his two singles, “Get Out Alive” and “Antisocial Love Song.” Both are pop hits that follow Frew processing his feelings of loneliness and lost love as well as his honest and raw, emotional sound. His captivating vocals along with his clear mastery of songwriting make him one of the most exciting faces in pop music today.

Miley Cyrus’ cover of Blondie’s “Heart Of Glass” broke the internet back in October as it showcased Miley’s new punk-rock persona and her incredibly impressive vocals. The original track was controversial when it was released as many thought the disco-vibe didn’t fit in with Blondie’s punk rock sound. Watch Miley bring back the explosiveness of Blondie’s rock roots with her cover of the track for the iHeartRadio Music Festival. “Heart of Glass” was the perfect choice to cover prior to the release of Miley’s seventh studio album, Plastic Hearts which shows the artist’s transition from pop superstar to rock idol.

Always a fashion icon, Miley returned with a bold, blonde mullet showered in diamonds and glitter. Her bodysuit had fans raving on social media, and the cover even inspired a TikTok trend where users show off their punk-rock personas — with crazy hair, makeup, and rocker outfits. Miley has a longstanding tradition of releasing covers, from her Backyard Sessions' cover of "Jolene" by Dolly Parton to her multiple BBC Radio1 Live Lounge covers, and ultimately this "Heart of Glass" cover which was accompanied by a more serious take on "Zombie" by The Cranberries. Both covers are included among other incredible original tracks on Plastic Hearts.