Coheed and Cambria’s Claudio Sanchez has just delivered a full-length covers album collecting material from his long-running Claudio Covers YouTube series, which includes newly reimagined versions of songs by Taylor Swift and the Smiths.
Sanchez’ Claudio Covers album was confirmed by the musician earlier in the week but officially started streaming today (December 20th). The eight-song set features previously released tracks like his fall-released revamp of the Cure’s “Just Like Heaven,” as well as “Under the Milky Way” by the Church, “Your Love” by the Outfield and “Stumbleine” by the Smashing Pumpkins.
Sprucing things up, Sanchez has also just delivered a two-fer of brand-new covers. First up is a take on T-Swift’s 1989 anthem “Welcome to New York,” which finds Coheed’s frontman tackling lines about the bright lights of the big city while supporting himself with gentle acoustic strums and a lightly-slapped cajon. It’s a new-ish soundtrack for Swifties and Coheed diehards alike, and you can check it out up above through a new music video combining shots of Sanchez recording his cover in his studio with footage of various New York landmarks.
“My decision to include ‘Welcome to New York’ in this collection is two-sided,” Sanchez explained in a statement. “First, in 2014, my son was born in a Brooklyn Hospital (Welcome to NY, Atlas!)… and when he became aware of this Swifty classic we listened to it even more so than when it was initially released, and if you know my wife, that’s a lot.”
He continued: “The other side of my choice is… I love NY. When so many fled the city with uncertainty, my family made the decision to plant deeper roots here. There’s no place in the world like it and no place I’d rather spend my downtime. It’s a place that deserves all its tributes and songs. Maybe one day I’ll have one in me… until then, this will have to do.”
A cover of the Smiths’ iconic “There is a Light That Never Goes Out” is the second part of today’s double-decker of new covers.
Meanwhile, Coheed and Cambria are gearing up for the release of their new album of original material, The Father of Make Believe, which lands March 14th via Virgin Music Group. The band will be supporting the upcoming full-length next spring on a co-headlining tour with Mastodon, which will also feature opening sets from Periphery.
Claudio Covers tracklisting:
Just Like Heaven (The Cure cover)
Welcome to New York (Taylor Swift cover)
Your Love (The Outfield cover)
Pompeii (Bastille cover)
Under the Milky Way (The Church cover)
Stumbleine (The Smashing Pumpkins cover)
Sister Christian (Night Ranger cover)
There Is a Light That Never Goes Out (The Smiths cover)