• News

• All

Oct 29, 2020 By Caleb Campbell Charlie Lubeck

Australian-born and Chicago-raised singer/songwriter Charlie Lubeck has released his reimagined cover of Alt-J’s “Bloodflood.” While the original, Alt-J’s first single, had a rich symphonic mix of sounds, Lubeck strips the song back to its barest essentials, drawing from his own vintage influences like Bob Dylan and Lou Reed. The effect is a recontextualization of the track, giving it an elliptical feel and presenting it through the lens of Lubeck’s plaintive guitar and voice.

Alt-J songs often have a lot going on and “Bloodflood” is no exception with its interlocking keys, guitar parts, string arrangements, and Joe Newman’s distinctive vocals. An acoustic cover stands the risk of losing its unique qualities along with its complexity. Yet, while Lubeck’s cover is sparse and bare, it still has a fundamental beauty to it. Lubeck’s fingerpicked acoustic guitar creates an absorbing and hypnotic element, bolstered by his vibrant vocals. He draws from the original’s unusual melodies and makes them the focal point of the song, foregrounding his own expressive vibrato.

The whole cover has a homespun charm to it, as does the video itself, produced by Zoe Lubeck. Lubeck performs the track in a friend’s London home, offering a live and unvarnished recreation of the track. It is an intimate performance with an equally intimate venue, creating the effect of an impromptu and effortless live performance from Lubeck. Check out the song and video below, and be on the lookout for Lubeck’s upcoming debut EP.