Call it crazy, but we’re convinced one of the biggest joys in life and music is a good remix or cover. Why? Because it means a musician loves a song so much that they’re willing to publicly re-interpret it. To celebrate how special that is we’re taking a look at some of the best new remixes and covers to come out of Australia and beyond. Check out this week’s picks.

The Flaming Lips Cover ‘Gates Of Steel’ by Devo

With more of an emphasis on punchy guitar and less on punk-infused drums, The Flaming Lips’ recorded rendition of the red-hatted rockers’ 1980 song, is more psychedelic than punk. Accompanied by a glitter and light-filled video in which members of the Flaming Lips are spandex-clad, just as you’d expect, the Wayne Coyne-fronted foursome make the song their very own.

Naysayer & Gilsun Remix ‘Footprints’ by Young Dreams


Norway’s Young Dreams produce psych-infused tunes that are true to their namesake and sound, in fact, just like a deep slumber. Naysayer & Gilsun know how to party. What do you get when you mix the two? A trippy ditty that sounds like a wacked out dream sequence that could soon turn into a nightmare. In other words, a totally stellar remix.

Vampire Weekend Cover ‘Blurred Lines’ by Robin Thicke


Because pop music is pop music is pop music, and because the privileged New York indie-rockers have no shame, comes this cover which is equal parts cringe-worthy and dance-tastic. Recorded live at BBC’s Radio 1 Live Lounge, the best part is either when Vampire Weekend frontman Exra Koenig tries to rap T.I. style, or when every member of the band manage to forget the lyrics and end up mumbling their best Robin Thicke impressions. So maybe this doesn’t come close to the four-piece’s amazing cover of Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Everywhere’, but we sure do love when Ezra hits them high notes.

Willow Beats Remix ‘Twisted’ by Fractures


Melbourne-based singer/songwriter/producer/ keys man Mark Zito has quickly carved a name for himself under the moniker of Fractures. His much-loved single ‘Twisted’ has now received the remix treatment from fellow Melbourne beat-making two-piece Willow Beats. All we want now is for vocalist Kalyani Ellis to duet with Zito for what’s bound to be a clusterfuck of synthy goodness.

Hot Chip Remix ‘Big Love’ by Matthew E. White


The king of nu-soul Matthew E. White recently came to Australia and one thing was clearer than ever: here is a man who likes things down home and simple. So imagine our surprise when this little Hot Chip remix landed in our laps. Retaining all the soul of White’s original tune but with added suspense and a fuck tonne of reverb, this may prove to be one of our favourite unlikely musical victories of 2013.

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