Switchfoot Releases Covers EP

Switchfoot gave fans a treat when they announced they were going to be releasing an EP strictly of Covers. The full EP released on June 19.

While these songs might not be new, these covers are definitely Switchfoot’s fresh take on them. They have Jon Foreman’s recognizable vocals and the band’s signature sound. Covers is a summer album that is fun, poignant, catchy, and a nice surprise for Switchfoot fans.

One might ask, why release a covers album? Jon Foreman shared how Covers came to be: “Quarantined at home, music has meant more to me than ever, something that feels stable even against the current backdrop of instability. Rather than just sing the songs written within the confine of our own quarantines, (those will come later!) we have collected half a dozen of the songs of others. Different voices. Different opinions. There is a commonality in melody, and rhythm, and lyric, and truth that speaks to me even from someone who might look different than myself.”

Switchfoot included tracks on Covers from Frank Ocean, Vampire Weekend, The Verve, James Bellion, The Chain Smokers, and Harry Styles.

Switchfoot’s Covers EP Track List:
Swim Good (Frank Ocean)
Harmony Hall (Vampire Weekend)
Stupid Deep (Jon Bellion)
Lucky Man (The Verve)
Lights Up (Harry Styles)
Sick Boy (The Chainsmokers)

Covers starts out with a Frank Ocean cover, “Swim Good.” This is a bluesy vibe I cannot get off repeat. This track is a musical and lyrical escape. The line “I’m about to drive in the ocean. I’mma try to swim from something bigger than me,” resonates with me especially during this time of quarantine and seclusion…the desire to try to escape the heaviness of the world is sometimes overpowering.

Covers continue’s with Vampire Weekend’s “Harmony Hall.” This is a more upbeat track than “Swim Good,” but does not back away from a poignant message that is relevant to hear.

Anger wants a voice, voices wanna sing
Singers harmonize till they can't hear anything
I thought that I was free from all that questionin'
But every time a problem ends, another one begins

“Stupid Deep” has a very classic Switchfoot sound. It is reminiscent of “Meant to Live” and “Dare You to Move,” especially the way they play them live. This is a song of questions, self-reflection, and self-actualization. They are the questions that maybe one is too afraid to ask or consider.

What if who I hoped to be was always me?
And the love I fought to feel was always free?
What if all the things I've done
Were just attempts at earning love? Yeah
'Cause the hole inside my heart is stupid deep, oh, stupid deep

The track I was most intrigued to listen to and see if I would like it was “Lights Up” by Harry Styles. I was interested to see how they decided to tackle a Harry Styles song. It has a fascinating R&B, funky groove, and it’s not one I would pass up. “Lights Up” is catchy and a fun track to listen to.

The final track on Covers is “Sick Boy” by The Chainsmokers. This track reminds me of “Looking for America” off Where the Light Shines Through. This is a statement of current events, speaking to how people interact with news, knowledge, and injustice. This track is hard-hitting and makes you think.

And they say that I am the sick boy 
Easy to say, when you don't take the risk, boy
Welcome to the narcissism
Where we're united under our indifference
Feed yourself with my life's work
How many likes is my life worth?

Switchfoot brought their own elements to Covers. The songs they chose felt intentional and well-thought-out. It speaks from the different perspectives of the original artists, but is driven home by Switchfoot’s signature style.

Listen to Switchfoot on Spotify and Apple Music. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram for upcoming music, live streams, and “Switchfoot at Home” videos!

Don’t forget Switchfoot is hosting their live stream of their Bro-Am event on June 27th. You can purchase tickets and merch bundles at switchfoot.com/collections/live-stream.