Fearless Records has released their compilation of some of today’s hit songs on their new album “Punk Goes Pop Vol. 6”. The album consists of punk rock covers of several pop favorites, including Miley Cyrus’ “Wrecking Ball”, Lorde’s “Royals” and Beyoncé’s “Drunk in Love”, covered by punk artists such as August Burns Red, Tyler Carter and Oceans Ate Alaska. So turn up the volume and tell your neighbors to put in their earplugs. It’s going to be very loud in here.

Not all of these songs sound like punk rock. If anything, many of them sound like pop stars remixing other pop stars’ hits, such as Tyler Carter featuring Luke Holland with their cover of Lorde’s hit “Royals”. Although there is some punk element to “Royals”, I wouldn’t completely label this as punk rock. The screaming almost seems forced and isn’t really necessary to make the song exciting. Set it Off’s “Problem”—originally performed by Iggy Azalea and Ariana Grande—has an equal balance of pop and punk, making it easy to listen to. Fans of both genres will easily fall in love with these songs.

On the flipside, some of these songs are quite difficult to listen to. For example, August Burns Red’s version of “Wrecking Ball” is hard to understand due to all of the screaming. This will no doubt leave the listeners with a ringing in their ears. This also applies to Upon a Body Burning and legendary rapper turned actor Ice-T’s rendition of DJ Snake & Lil Jon’s “Turn Down for What”. Ice-T’s contribution to the song keeps “Turn Down for What” in the rap category while giving it an edgier feel with Upon a Body Burning’s blood curdling scream. Oceans Ate Alaska’s version of Beyonce’s “Drunk in Love” can barely be understood. The screams are so deafening, the fans will only clearly understand the chorus.

While the punk remakes of today’s pop hits are unique and exciting, it may not appeal to all pop fans. However, some of the tracks are less punk and more pop, and that may appeal to the fans of pop music. The screams in most of the songs are difficult to listen to, but that may work for punk fans. “Punk Goes Pop Vol. 6” will enchant both audiences and gives everyone something to enjoy.

Final Grade: C

About The Author

Lauren Beverly

Music Reviewer

I love to write and have been doing so since the age of eight. Fictional stories have always been a favorite of mine, because it gives me a chance to be creative and to express myself in a multitude of ways. On more than one occasion, a song proved to be the inspiration to several stories I have written. Believe it or not, some of those songs were on soundtracks! That’s mostly what I listen to, aside from hits from the 1950’s up to the 1980’s. I’ve learned that anything can be the inspiration to a story, even a poster from the 1990’s or a DVD cover.

I’ve lived in Upper Marlboro all of my life and spent much of my childhood watching cartoons of all kinds, and listening to my older sister’s cassette tapes. Growing up, I listened to everything Jackson related, Paula Abdul, Elton John, and even the controversial group Milli Vanilli. As a teenager, I continued to listen to old-school hits and that was pretty much all I liked, aside from listening to all of Michael Jackson’s music. To this day, I still love old-school hits. That hasn’t changed.

I own a variety of CDs from artists such as Styx, The BeeGees, Michael Jackson, Queen, The Yellow Submarine Soundtrack, and many others. When a soundtrack comes out, there will always be one specific song from that album that I’ll love. It never fails.

I’ve graduated from Bowie State University in December 2013 with a B.A. degree in English.

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