Singer-songwriter SOAK covered The National’s 2010 song “Bloodbuzz Ohio,” which originally appeared on their album High Violet. This cover debuted on Rough Trade Records, and takes on a stripped down approach to the original, which was noted for Matt Berninger’s baritone delivery.
SOAK takes a more simple approach with the cover, performing with a single guitar, which she compliments with her somber yet passionate vocal delivery. The performer’s take on this track feels personal and heartfelt, giving a different meaning to the song’s original recording by The National.
“Matt Berninger is one of my favorite lyricists,” SOAK, real name Bridie Monds-Watson, remarked in a statement. “There’s something so special about the imagery The National manages to create within their music and I often catch myself imagining each song as its own movie trailer. I love the manic world this song creates.”
Monds-Watson debuted a music video for the song “Déjà Vu” earlier this year, which was inspired by the work of David Lynch. The performer also debuted her latest studio album Grim Town earlier this year as well.
“It gets more and more impressive to see younger singer-songwriters put every piece of their souls out into the open for the world to devour,” mxdwn reviewer Ally Tatosian explained. “SOAK is an exception to the rule, her soul is far older than her body and her light-years of knowledge already outweigh plenty of other writers in our current day and age. Grim Town plays directly to its title and takes its listeners on a tour from start to finish.”