Covering a revered alternative rock band like Dinosaur Jr. is not easy matter. The group has a very distinct sound, which can be clearly heard on tracks like “Little Fury Things“. J Mascis‘ guitar noodling, Lou Barlowe‘s hazy vocals paired with Mascis’ folksy delivery. Tight drumming underscoring the wild noise cascading everywhere.
So one might wonder who this upstart Maz is, daring to cover this cut by the indie greats? Well, she is a savvy alt pop artist who knows what she’s doing, that’s who. Instead of trying to match the chaos of the original, Maz strips the track down to a subdued drum beat and bass line, and tops these with atmospheric synths to create a serene atmosphere. Her airy vocals crust the song with a lovely shoegaze glaze that floats it into the stratosphere.
Even as the bridge gets a smidge heavier, the song never attempts to match the rock foundation of the original. It stays in its celestial range, and is all the more impressive for it.
Listen to this cover here!
The Indy Review 