The 1975’s “Somebody Else” has already been covered by the likes of Lorde and Charlie Puth, but Chvrches’ new rendition could just be the best one yet. It may—dare we say it—even rival the original.
This week, Chvrches visited the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge to perform both “Somebody Else” and “Get Out,” the first single off of their morbidly titled upcoming third studio album Love Is Dead. Chvrches’ decision to cover “Somebody Else” is unsurprising and maybe even expected. Avid Chrvches fans have often likened the Scottish pop trio to The 1975, as both groups have a knack for combining thoughtful indie-pop with danceable electronica.
In fact, last summer BBC Radio 1 reporter Steve Holden tweeted that speeding up “Somebody Else” transforms the track into an upbeat Chvrches tune akin to “The Mother We Share” or “Night Sky”—an observation that’s almost as accurate as the fact that a slowed-down Adele sounds almost exactly like Sam Smith.
The Chvrches cover, which frontwoman and feminist activist Lauren Mayberry dubbed a “half banger, ballad banger,” isn’t quite as fast as the sped-up 1975 version. But it’s got a nice groove, and Mayberry’s voice sells the song’s guilt-ridden lyrics so perfectly that we wouldn’t complain if the group starts including the song in their regular concert rotation when they start touring in May.
Love Is Dead isn’t set to come out until May 25, but Chvrches has nonetheless been hard at work putting out singles (specifically Matt Berninger collab “My Enemy” and the aforementioned “Get Out”) and treating fans to a treasure hunt-esque tracklist reveal. The album was co-produced by writer-producer Greg Kurstin, who’s worked with Tegan and Sara, Sia, Pink, Kelly Clarkson, and a myriad of other pop superstars. And according to an recent interview with Pitchfork, Chvrches fans can expect a record that’s not only catchy and hooky but that also makes unapologetic statements and addresses widespread frustrations.
Chvrches also recently stopped by Much HQ to record an episode of the Mike on Much podcast and spill some secrets in the Much Confessional, which you can check out below (Spoiler Alert: Mayberry is a Celine Dion fan, as she should be).
