Portugal. The Man covers K-pop group's song Golden.
In a move that feels less like a simple cover and more like a cosmic alignment of musical universes, the Grammy-winning psychedelic indie rock outfit Portugal. The Man has gracefully dipped into the vibrant, high-energy world of K-pop, releasing a soulful, reimagined version of TWICE's uplifting anthem 'Golden'.The genesis of this unexpected crossover wasn't found in a corporate synergy meeting or a calculated marketing plan, but in the pure, unfiltered curiosity of lead vocalist John Gourley, who fell, as he describes it, 'deep into the K-pop rabbit hole' thanks to his daughter. This isn't just a story about a band covering a song; it's a narrative about how the boundaries of genre are dissolving in the modern listening experience, driven by a new generation's eclectic tastes.Gourley’s journey into the world of TWICE—a nine-member powerhouse known for their meticulously crafted pop perfection, infectious choreography, and a dedicated global fandom known as ONCE—mirrors a broader cultural shift. Where once musical tastes were often siloed by genre and geography, streaming platforms and algorithmic discovery have created a global village square for sound.For an artist like Gourley, whose work with Portugal. The Man has always bent genres, weaving elements of psychedelia, folk, and funk into their own distinct tapestry, the intricate production and maximalist joy of a TWICE track weren't foreign concepts but rather a different dialect in the same language of pop craftsmanship.The original 'Golden', from TWICE's 2024 album *With YOU-th*, is a shimmering, optimistic track built on a foundation of bright synths and powerful, harmonized vocals, a testament to the group's polished, arena-ready style. Portugal.The Man’s interpretation, however, strips the song down to its emotional core. They trade the glossy electronic sheen for warm, resonant piano chords and Gourley's characteristically ethereal, slightly weathered vocals, transforming the song from a collective anthem of empowerment into a intimate, personal reflection.It’s a fascinating alchemy; the lyrics about self-belief and resilience take on a new, perhaps more contemplative, weight when delivered with the raw, indie-rock sensibility that defined hits like 'Feel It Still'. This cover acts as a bridge between two seemingly disparate fan bases, introducing ONCE to the nuanced, layered soundscapes of Portugal.The Man and offering the band's established listeners a gateway into the dynamic world of K-pop. It underscores a truth that music bloggers and vinyl collectors have long known: a great song is a great song, regardless of its packaging.The cultural exchange happening here is significant. It follows in the footsteps of other Western artists like Charlie Puth and Dua Lipa openly praising K-pop acts, but a full-band, stylistic reinterpretation from an established, critically acclaimed rock group carries a different kind of weight.It legitimizes the artistic merit of K-pop beyond its pop chart dominance, treating it not as a novelty but as a rich source of musical inspiration worthy of serious engagement. The cover feels less like an appropriation and more like a respectful dialogue, an artist acknowledging the craft in another's work by filtering it through his own unique lens.One can imagine the track fitting perfectly into a festival setlist, a moment of shared discovery for the crowd, a testament to the fact that the next great musical revolution might not be a new sound, but the beautiful, chaotic, and endlessly creative collision of all the sounds we already have. In the end, this isn't just Portugal. The Man covering TWICE; it's a father sharing in his daughter's passion, an artist following his curiosity, and a powerful reminder that in the vast, interconnected library of global music, the next song that changes your perspective might just be a click away, recommended by someone you love.
#Portugal. The Man
#K-pop
#Golden
#collaboration
#cover
#featured
