Need to send out a big thanks to Tristan who emailed this hauntingly beautiful cover from a rising YouTube star.

Mree (pronounced Marie) is launching a music career herself via YouTube (a platform that’s being utilised in so many great ways by unsigned artists) and her version of The Middle East’s Blood is so beautiful.

Already watched it about 6 times this morning and I do recommend a decent set of headphones or speakers, a little laptop won’t do it justice.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMe_5O0mYj0

Jess Mills has left a huge smile on my face this week with her cover of Gabriel by Roy Davis Jr.

The 1990 original still holds a special place in my heart and Jess does a lot of justice for it – not only on the vocal side but through the slick production.

Would love to hear this one live!

Just found a note on my iPhone written a few weeks back at about 5am which can only be a boozy all nighter, nevertheless I managed to muster the energy and jot down who was playing at the time and I’m glad I did.

It’s not a new track – it blew up in the summer of last year – and she’s not to be mixed up with the Birdy’s of the world, the rest of her music is original but this version of The Suburbs by Arcade Fire is a beaut.

Michael Kiwanuka covering Led Zeppelin’s Whole Lotta Love for BBC Radio 1.

Only thing that I can think of is wow.

It’s more the fact that it’s obvious she speaks no English but despite that hits the English language notes with absolute perfection!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJfkVDg0F6k

Old Man is by far one of my favourite Neil Young songs and that’s all down to my Dad who, after big Sunday lunches would put it on in the kitchen and even as a small boy I could appreciate the beautiful song.

It was massively exciting then when I logged online today to see what I consider to be one of the best female singers in the UK today take on such a great song and boy, has she delivered.

Saint Saviour’s own delicate vocals as well as the soulful backing vocalists add a new dimension to a classic but doesn’t stray far from Young’s composition and it’s a fitting tribute to one of the greats of our time.

Saint Saviour – Old Man (Neil Young cover) - right click, save as to download

Download audio file (Saint Saviour – Old Man (Neil Young cover).mp3)

Speaking of which…

Neil Young – Old Man (Live in ’71)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVC2cszdTao

The Weeknd is up there with Lana Del Rey as the internet music sensations of 2011. The mysterious Canadian RnB artist – real name Abel – has released a total of three free to download mix tapes this year showcasing a self destructive brand of RnB; telling tales of the dark underbelly of the party lifestyle. The critical acclaim that these mix tapes have garnered has opened some heavyweight doors – he has now collaborated with Drake on his latest album ‘Take Care’.

The Weeknd dropped his latest mix tape ‘Echoes of Silence’ this week, and it features a not-unambitious cover of the late Michael Jackson’s classic ‘Dirty Diana’. Undoubtedly this will divide opinion, but we think he has the voice to carry it off.

The Weeknd – Dirty Diana

www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKEghPZQAEQ

East London Reggae group The Skints have been making waves recently with their cover of dubstep queen Katy B’s ‘On A Mission’. Bringing a lilting sun drenched vibe to the electronic antics of the original, it shows off a ska punk sound that seems wasted on the winter time.

Luckily, having raised the funds to produce their album via their fans using Pledge Music, The Skints will be releasing a full length album in the new year. Just in time for summer. In the meantime check out more reggae music from The Skints over on their MySpace.

The Skints – On A Mission (Katy B Cover) 

We featured the first Advent special presented by David’s Lyre last year which saw the artist embark on a festive mission to release a new song every day in the run up to Christmas.

It’s a mammoth task but he did it marvellously (you can listen to some of the covers here) and the new Advent started yesterday however this time he’s teamed up with students at Central Saint Martin’s to create high quality short films alongside more great covers and originals.

First in the covering chair is Lana Del Rey with a video not too unlike the Kick-Ass movie theme but with a very British feel.

Advent Day 1: David’s Lyre – Video Games w/ Knight Warrior

www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbAFkEuU8xg

Check out the session with did with him during the Great Escape festival in Brighton!

David’s Lyre – Heartbeat // Mahogany Session

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FWASA5KC-Q

South London’s Alpines are releasing a series of covers – serving up classic pop and rock tracks in their signature dark electro pop style. The latest of these is an ambitious cover of Carly Simon’s ‘Why’ produced by Maya Jane Coles – a perfect deep counter point to the ghostly vocals of Catherine Pockson. Although its a tricky track to cover, the talented combination of Alpines and Coles have managed to make this track their own.

The Alpines rework of  Nirvana’s ‘Something In The Way’ takes this grungey track into haunting sombre territory. This release is part of an EP project in collaboration with some of the best UK up and coming production talents – including Dark Sky and Craze + Hoax.

Alpines – Why (produced by Maya Jane Coles) 

Alpines – Something In The Way.