Photo: Liz Rose Ridley

Big Joanie share moody cover of Solange’s “Cranes in the Sky”

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.

You can find Big Joanie on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.