NYC duo Cults have taken on a west coast, surf rock challenge by covering the entire self-titled, debut album of 70’s California new wave group The Motels for Turntable Kitchen’s “Sounds Delicious” series. The full album is set for release August 17, but the twosome released the first single “Total Control” on Wednesday, and it’s a shiny, modern take on the original. The Motels’ version is a patient, controlled tune with short acoustic chords that never build, allowing for vocals from lead singer Martha Davis to take command. Cults’ rendition, on the other hand, hits the ground running with a sparkly melody and strumming, fluctuating bass leading into dreamy, distorted vocals from songstress Madeline Follin. The indie pop two-piece were compelled to cover this album for “Sounds Delicious” due to their 2011 tour with the band Total Control, (named after The Motels track that Cults have now recreated) who exposed them to the honest, expressive record they later fell in love with. Hear Cults’ cover of “Total Control” below, and pre-order the album here.
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