American Football have shared Ethel Cain’s version of their 1999 track “For Sure,” which is set to be included on a covers album—which will also featuring new takes from Iron & Wine, Manchester Orchestra, Blondshell, and more—landing alongside a 25th anniversary reissue of their self-titled debut. Cain’s sprawling interpretation features patient guitar melodies and a floating, ethereal vocal line. In classic Ethel fashion, the song builds until it eventually releases into a shoegaze jam of epic proportions.
“I knew I wanted to do ‘For Sure’ immediately,” Cain shared in a press release. “It’s always stood out to me every time I spin the record, and I knew exactly how I wanted to translate it into my sound. My favorite part of the entire track is the sound of the train going by the apartment I lived in back in Pennsylvania, stretched out like a synth at the beginning and end.”
Regarding the band’s influence, she continued: “American Football is one of those bands that really marked such a moment in time with their debut record, a mark with so much longevity that it found me the same way at 20 years old that I imagine it found everyone else the day it was first released: as an instant classic. Their sonic storytelling has inspired me in more ways than I can count over the years, so being asked to contribute to this covers edition was truly an honor. American Football forever.”
The song’s accompanying video was also shot and edited by Cain—check that out below. American Football (Covers) will be released alongside a completely remastered version of the 1999 album. Pre-order both here before they drop October 18 via Polyvinyl.
