Last month, Joshua Ray Walker announced a brand new project titled What Is It Even?, where the singer/songwriter would be covering a number of his favorite songs originally recorded by female artists.
The project, which is slated to drop August 4th, features covers of Cher’s “Believe,” Q Lazzarus’ “Goodbye Horses,” Sinead O’Connor’s “Nothing Compares To You,” Sia’s “Cheap Thrills,” Lizzo’s “Cuz I Love You,” and a bluegrass adaptation of Beyoncé’s “Halo.”
When the album was first announced he discussed why he decided to put this album together:
“I just wanted to make something that was fun. I realized how influential female pop records and artists have been on me as a person, even more than in a creative sense.”
For the lead cover, he dropped an impressive rendition of Lizzo’s “Cuz I Love You:”
And today, the man is back at it again with another impressive cover of The Cranberries’ “Linger.”
On top of that, he also got some help from Tenacious D’s Kyle Gass.
Walker discussed the new cover:
“After belting it out with the band on a late night drive after a show, we decided ‘Linger’ had to make the album. Once in studio, our bassist Billy Bones suggested we ask our new friend Kyle Gass to add a recorder solo. It was the perfect addition, and fit squarely within our ethos of ‘What Is It Even’ while making the record.”
Needless to say, this is yet another perfect example of the versatility Joshua Ray Walker possesses.
Give it a listen:
