Today, the GOLDEN DREGS release their new 3-track EP entitled popular music vol. 1. The digital only release consists of cover versions of well-loved songs by pop icons: ‘When The Party’s Over‘ by Billie Eilish, ‘Dealer‘ by Lana Del Rey, and ‘Billions‘ by Caroline Polachek.
The EP was recorded, mixed, and produced by Cornish musician Benjamin Woods and features band members Ted Mair on piano, Matt Merriman on drums, and Isabelle Armstrong, Davy Roderick, and Mike Clark on backing vocals. With their gentle harmonies and atmospheric instrumental arrangements that uniquely meld the bleak and the beautiful, combined with Woods’ rich baritone voice, the GOLDEN DREGS transform this trio of contemporary pop anthems into their own set of intimate ballads.
“Lana Del Rey’s ‘Dealer‘ has been on heavy rotation in the tour van since it was released, and we’ve often talked about covering it. In the past I’ve found I like to record a version of someone else’s song before working on my own – it can set the tone of a record without me worrying about what the song is so much, and allow me to explore textures and melodies that I might not arrive at myself. We’re about to head into the studio to work on our next album, so it felt like the right time to give our cover of ‘Dealer’ a go. This idea grew into exploring some of our favourite contemporary pop songs. We’re big fans of all of them – Lana Del Rey for her dark lyrics and sprawling arrangements, Billie Eilish for her subtle understated textures and haunting vocals, and Caroline Polachek for her bombastic maximalism. It was a lot of fun existing within these songs, and reinterpreting them – they each lent themselves nicely to some rich vocal textures and synthesis that we are moving towards for our next album.” says Benjamin Woods.
The EP is available on digital formats from today and all tracks are accompanied by behind- the-scenes footage taken during the recording process. popular music vol. 1 follows the GOLDEN DREGS’ recent third album, On Grace & Dignity, which includes the singles ‘Vista‘, ‘Before We Fell From Grace‘, ‘American Airlines‘ and ‘Sundown Lake‘
Stream / Download popular music vol. 1: https://goldendregs.ffm.to/popularmusicvol1
the GOLDEN DREGS – ‘Before We Fell From Grace’ (Official Video)
Stream / Download: https://goldendregs.ffm.to/beforewefellfromgrace
the GOLDEN DREGS – ‘Sundown Lake’ (Official Visualiser)
Stream / Download: https://goldendregs.ffm.to/sundownlake
the GOLDEN DREGS – ‘American Airlines’ (Official Video)
Stream / Download: https://goldendregs.ffm.to/americanairlines
the GOLDEN DREGS – popular music vol. 1
1. When the Party’s Over (Billie Eilish)
2. Dealer (Lana Del Rey)
3. Billions (Caroline Polachek)
2. American Airlines
3. How It Starts
4. Before We Fell From Grace
5. Not Even The Rain
6. Eulogy
7. Josephine
8. Vista
9. Sundown Lake
10. Beyond Reasonable Doubt
“a gruff baritone in that Leonard Cohen/Matt Berninger/Stuart Staples mode over lush and thoughtful arrangements.“ – Stereogum
“A confident and assured record with a real sense of purpose” – Under the Radar
“a rich, twilight-hued sonic tapestry“ – Brooklyn Vegan
10 February via 4AD / Remote Control Records.
