Portugal. The Man Releases Folk Cover of K-pop Song 'Golden'.

2 days ago7 min read

In a move that feels less like a genre crossover and more like a heartfelt musical conversation across continents, the Grammy-winning psychedelic rock outfit Portugal. The Man has unveiled a stunning folk reinterpretation of the K-pop sensation Twice's track 'Golden,' a creative pivot spearheaded by lead vocalist John Gourley whose deep dive into the Hallyu wave was catalyzed by none other than his daughter, transforming their household into an unexpected incubator for global pop appreciation.This isn't merely a cover; it's an alchemical transformation where the sleek, synth-driven effervescence of the original JYP Entertainment hit is stripped back to its melodic core, reimagined with the kind of warm, acoustic intimacy and layered vocal harmonies that would feel at home on a classic Crosby, Stills & Nash record, yet it somehow perfectly captures the inherent yearning and lyrical optimism of the source material, proving that a great song is a great song, regardless of its cultural packaging. Gourley’s journey from the indie-rock circuits of Alaska to becoming a self-professed 'stan' of a nine-member South Korean girl group is a testament to music's evolving, borderless nature in the streaming age, where algorithmic discovery and familial influence collide, and his public embrace of Twice’s expansive discography—from 'Fancy' to 'The Feels'—signals a broader, more sincere integration of K-pop into the listening diets of Western artists beyond mere trend-chasing or opportunistic collaboration. This release sits at a fascinating nexus in modern music history, echoing past moments of cross-cultural pollination like David Bowie's Berlin period or Paul Simon's 'Graceland,' but filtered through the hyper-connected, instantly accessible lens of today, where a father and daughter sharing headphones can inadvertently spark a creative endeavor that resonates with fans of both indie folk and high-energy pop, challenging entrenched genre snobberies and demonstrating that artistic inspiration can indeed be a golden thread connecting a rock veteran in Portland to a pop powerhouse in Seoul, all through the universal language of a captivating melody.

#lead focus news

#Portugal. The Man

#K-pop

#collaboration

#Golden

#Demon Hunters

#cover version

#cross-genre

#John Gourley

#Twice