We’ve already discussed the very strange Minions: Rise of Gru soundtrack, which unites a Pitchfork Festival-worthy lineup to soundtrack your kid nephew’s favorite franchise. The newly engaged Jack Antonoff (the Nick Fury of this group of these Indie Music Avengers) gathered Phoebe Bridgers, Weyes Blood, Bleachers, Brockhampton, H.E.R., St. Vincent, Thundercat, Tierra Whack, Brittany Howard, RZA, Tame Impala and tons more to make sure the year’s least cool movie has the coolest music.
Want proof? Well, try St. Vincent’s spin on Lipps Inc.’s iconic “Funkytown.” Like most of the Minions: Rise of Gru songs, it’s a cover of a 70s classic, but it finds Annie Clark in a great lane — adding her usual fastidious production talents to a song without sacrificing any of the tune’s weirdness. St. Vincent’s “Funkytown” sounds less like disco paradise and more like the grooviest alien planet this side of Alpha Centauri. It’s like The Fifth Element crossed with Saturday Night Fever with a little Guardians of the Galaxy thrown in. These are all compliments.
In addition to this cover, you can hear Brittany Howard’s take on “Shining Star,” Thundercat sing “Fly Like an Eagle,” Phoebe Bridgers do “Goodbye to Love” and tons more.
