Chvrches’ Martin Doherty said what lots of people are thinking about Justin Bieber’s two most recent releases on BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge on Wednesday morning: “Honestly after those two tunes I had a sit-down and thought, ‘Oh my god, I’m actually a Justin Bieber fan. How did this happen?’” Doherty, Ian Cook, and Lauren Mayberry, who make up the electronic band Chvrches, appeared on the show to promote their new album, Every Open Eye, which comes out this Friday.
Each guest artist on Live Lounge performs a cover, and Chvrches chose to revamp Bieber’s chart-topping single, “What Do You Mean?” Although the song’s underlying structure is the same, Cook and Doherty added an electronic dance beat that’s an improvement over the song’s original pan-flute-y high notes. Mayberry’s vocals are sharper and more angular than Bieber’s smooth croon, and her breathiness ads another layer to the song. Overall it’s a solid cover that will serve as a temporary remedy for your Bieber Fever until Justin’s new album drops in November.
