Summertime Sadness // Hildegard von Blingin’ – Lucy Clarke
The vintage cover track I can’t stop playing is a cover of Lana Del Rey’s ‘Summertime Sadness’ by artist Hildegard von Blingin’. Hildegard von Blingin is a Canadian musician inspired by the 11th century German nun, Hildegard von Bingen, a composer of sacred songs. Hildegard von Blingin is obviously deeply fascinated with medieval history and music. Her pieces are almost completely rewritten to fit with writing that Chaucer was more familiar with.
She doesn’t only run the original cords through an algorithm either; von Blingin rewrites the songs with medieval-style instruments and vocals. Del Rey’s original becomes ethereal, spiked with magic and religion. Bardcore is a healing elixir during these difficult times, and Hildegard von Blingin is really a sorceress.
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This is far from an exhaustive list, but our contributors’ favourites explore a range of different styles; from jazz to classical to funk and more. No matter the genre, we seem to have a fascination with vintage covers. People are attracted to them for different reasons; the absurdity of Bardcore, the modernisation of dramas such as Bridgerton and Reign, the infectious stylings of the Postmodern Jukebox. However, there is one common theme that underpins all vintage covers: making over modern songs in an older style reminds us that those from the Jazz Age, the classical era or the Dark Ages weren’t so different from us after all.
Feature compiled by Joanna Magill