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Duets and covers define our week in music

Perfume Genius + Empress Of: When I’m With Him Reworking her original version of “When I’m With Him,” Empress Of (aka Lorely Rodriguez) has teamed up with Perfume Genius (aka Mike Hadreas) for this dreamy and dramatic version, where Hadreas takes lead vocals. While it’s technically billed as a cover by Perfume Genius, it’s a duet—aided by production from Jim-E Stack, who also worked on the original. Moving away …

Micropixie: The Universal (Blur Cover)

One of seminal English act Blur’s most beloved tunes, “The Universal” gets a fresh take from Micropixie, aka Neshma Friend. The cover carries the pressing intention of the original, but layers vocals and instrumentation in a refreshing, albeit loyal way. Friend has an album, Dark Sight of the Moon, coming out 8 March.

Rodrigo y Gabriela: Echoes (Pink Floyd Cover)

Mexican acoustic guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela return with a cover of Pink Floyd’s “Echoes” and the announcement of a new album, Mettavolution. Their first release in five years, the track once again highlights Rodrigo’s profoundly nuanced fingerpicking and Gabriela’s depth of rhythm. The energy within the new song honors the original—all 19 minutes of it. Their forthcoming album, which features the tune, will release on 26 …