It takes some guts to tackle a Rage Against the Machine cover, and more so to transform it into something refreshingly new.
Enter young, Arizona songwriter Izzy Mahoubi. The versatile desert dwelling musician’s original music takes cues from the likes of The Lumineers, Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks, but for her take on the classic, fiery track by the Los Angeles rap-infused hard rockers, Mahoubi strips the original down to its bluesy roots, and it works perfectly.
Mahoubi’s drawls out her vocals with a subdued anger. The rawness and simmering attitude play well with the country blues guitar, that builds with the “some of those who burn crosses, are the same that work forces”. The song closes with a haunting “fuck you, I won’t do what you tell me”.
It’s a refreshing take on an ever-relevant song. Take a listen to it here.
The Indy Review 