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American Football announce covers album with Manchester Orchestra, Blondshell, Ethel Cain and more

American Football are celebrating 25 years of their 1999 self-titled debut with not one but two records: a covers album, and a full remastering…

Fresh from their stunning Outbreak headliner last month, American Football have just announced two special anniversary albums.

The band are continuing the 25th anniversary celebrations of their 1999 self-titled debut with a fully remastered edition, and a very cool covers version featuring Manchester Orchestra, Blondshell, Ethel Cain and more (keep scrolling to see the full tracklist).

They’ve also previewed what’s to come from the latter release with Iron & Wine’s take on opener Never Meant, with Sam Beam enthusing that, “My neighbour Brad Cook and I have been circling each other hoping to work on something for a bit. When I was asked about this project, it felt like the perfect opportunity. Especially a song that I knew meant a lot to American Football’s fans. Honoured to be part of this and hoping we did it justice.”

“When the first Iron & Wine record came out, it threaded the needle between Townes Van Zandt and Elliott Smith,” continues American Football drummer Steve Holmes. “It felt like if Nick Drake grew up with us listening to Fugazi before pivoting to making bedroom art folk. In other words, it was exactly what we would have been making if our first record came out when we were 28 instead of 22. Sam Beam is an incredible songwriter and interpreter of song, and it is beyond flattering that he would take the time to interpret one of ours.”

Listen to that right now:

Check out the American Football (25th Anniversary Edition) tracklist:

1. Never Meant
2. The Summer Ends
3. Honestly?
4. For Sure
5. You Know I Should Be Leaving Soon
6. But the Regrets Are Killing Me
7. I'll See You When We're Both Not So Emotional
8. Stay Home
9. The One With the Wurlitzer

Meanwhile, American Football (Covers) is as follows:

1. Iron & Wine – Never Meant
2. Blondshell – The Summer Ends
3. Novo Amor & Lowswimmer – Honestly?
4. Ethel Cain – For Sure
5. Yvette Young – You Know I Should Be Leaving Soon
6. Girl Ultra – But the Regrets Are Killing Me
7. M.A.G.S. – I'll See You When We're Both Not So Emotional
8. Manchester Orchestra – Stay Home
9. John McEntire – The One With the Wurlitzer

And catch American Football back in the UK this year:

September

11 Nottingham Rock City
12 Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom
14 London Roundhouse

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