Xiu Xiu are no strangers to strange cover versions, but they set their sights seemingly unreasonably high by taking on a song pretty much universally liked. Much more surprising, they pulled it off. The original was always about an interplay of voices, and here the effect is even more pronounced, balancing Jamie Stewart’s expressive quaver against Michael Gira’s (of Swans) staid resonance, and Caralee McEllroy’s ringing clarity. And with a couple brief free sax solos worked into the perfect balance of pop and experimentation. –Nate Dorr

Xiu Xiu Featuring Michael Gira “Under Pressure”

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