Coheed and Cambria have dropped Claudio Covers, an eight-track collection of reimagined favourites curated and performed by Claudio Sanchez, the band’s frontman and creative force. Released on 20 December via Virgin Music Group, this project presents a mix of cherished classics alongside fresh takes, offering a personal glimpse into Sanchez’s influences and inspirations.
The album opens with a rendition of The Cure’s “Just Like Heaven,” a track Sanchez shared with fans on YouTube last month. Also featured are new interpretations of songs like “Under the Milky Way” by The Church, “Your Love” by The Outfield, and “Stumbleine” by Smashing Pumpkins, showcasing Sanchez’s ability to bring a fresh perspective to these well-loved tracks. Notably, two brand-new covers debut on this album: “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out” by The Smiths and Taylor Swift’s “Welcome to New York,” the latter arriving with an accompanying music video.
Reflecting on the choice to cover “Welcome to New York,” Sanchez said:
"My decision to include 'Welcome To New York' in this collection is two-sided. First, in 2014, my son was born in a Brooklyn hospital (Welcome To NY, Atlas!) … and when he became aware of this Swifty classic we listened to it even more so than when it was initially released, and if you know my wife, that’s a lot.
“The other side of my choice is … I love NY. When so many fled the city with uncertainty, my family made the decision to plant deeper roots here. There’s no place in the world like it and no place I’d rather spend my downtime. It’s a place that deserves all its tributes and songs. Maybe one day I’ll have one in me … until then, this will have to do."
This release paves the way for Coheed and Cambria’s highly anticipated 10th studio album, The Father of Make Believe, due 14 March 2025. Continuing the band’s intricate The Amory Wars narrative, the album promises to delve deeper into the Vaxis universe. Fans have already been treated to two singles: “Blind Side Sonny,” an intense track paired with a Max Moore-directed video unveiling a new antagonist, and “Searching for Tomorrow,” which arrived with an animated video by Anthony Scheppard.
The band’s upcoming plans include The Infinite Arc, a co-headline tour with Mastodon scheduled for next summer, and performances at major festivals such as Tool in the Sand in the Dominican Republic this March and 2000 Trees in the UK this July. Additionally, Coheed and Cambria will embark on their S.S. Neverender 2025 cruise in November, featuring acts like Thursday, L.S. Dunes, and Meet Me at the Altar.
For over two decades, Coheed and Cambria have been breaking boundaries with their genre-spanning music and expansive storytelling. Sanchez, along with Travis Stever (guitar), Josh Eppard (drums), and Zach Cooper (bass), continues to captivate audiences with their visionary approach to rock music.
Save the date for THE FATHER OF MAKE BELIEVE, and watch the video for "Welcome To New York" (Taylor Swift cover):
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