Earlier this year, 4AD released Bills & Aches & Blues, where 18 of its current artists reworked songs from 4AD’s catalogue: a creative experiment rooted in the spirit of collaboration and a snapshot of the label, 41 years after its inception. In tandem with this celebratory compilation, today 4AD releases Go Back For New, a 5-track digital EP of 4AD songs reimagined by five Chinese musicians.
The five recordings showcase some of China’s most forward-thinking and influential musicians, all of whom have been inspired by 4AD. Beijing’s BowAsWell shares a mellow version of Deerhunter’s ‘Agoraphobia’, a song he “listened to every day on his way to school.” Rising hip-hop star Mia Aim chose ‘Kill V. Maim’ by Grimes, adding her trademark soulful spin and Xinjiang trap artist Abdul G reinterpreted SOHN’s ‘Conrad’ with traditional Xinjiang folk instrumentation. Railway Suicide Train, one of China’s most talked-about bands, delivered an improvised take of Dead Can Dance’s ‘Song of the Stars’, whilst revered P.K.14 frontman and producer Yang Haisong covered Pixies’ ‘Monkey Gone To Heaven’ in remembrance of a lost friend (also a Pixies fan).
Stream / Download 4AD – Go Back For New
