London band Big Joanie have been known for their boisterous live shows, which they channelled into their very fine 2018 debut album Sistahs, and while we wait for the follow-up, they have announced a one-off 7″ single to be released through Third Man. The release features a cover of Solange’s modern classic “Cranes in the Sky” on the A-side and a live version of their song “It’s You” on the B-side. The single is to be released on coke-bottle colour vinyl on August 14 (pre-order), but you can hear the cover now.
With their bass-guitar-drums combo, Big Joanie build a skeletal interpretation of “Cranes in the Sky” that also incorporates their own buzzing and rickety style. The song maintains the exhausted mood of the original, but Big Joanie give it a punk sneer, a garage-rock boom and even a crackling crescendo. It takes a brave act to cover a song this beloved, but Big Joanie’s version of “Cranes in the Sky” is utterly worthwhile.
If you’re in London, Big Joanie will be playing a free show in Stoke Newington on Saturday August 15, with tickets to be acquired through DICE from 10AM BST tomorrow, August 4.
