In February of 2024, a musician named Alex Melton provided the world with a cover of Van Halen’s classic “Jump”, but not in the way that you would expect. This unmistakable rock anthem had been transformed into an indie alt-pop cover that featured acoustic passages and delicate vocals, offering an entirely new perspective on both the lyrics and the overall energy the original song gave us.
Most covers feature musicians trying to replicate the original song as much as possible, copying each line and movement moment-for-moment. Alex Melton, however, had other ideas. He wanted to completely change the vibe of “Jump”, and slowed the verses down to allow each word and instrumental movement to stand on its own. What he ended up creating was a very clever, and very catchy, version of a true rock classic. Watch his incredible rendition in the video below:
From the outset, it’s clear that Melton is an incredibly talented individual. The warm glow of his studio, and his proficiency with his equipment, show us that music is his livelihood and he knows how to transform a song into a powerful emotional tool. His multi-instrumental ability also gives him full creative control over this project, which has completely altered Van Halen’s classic track into a bouncy, poppy, indie-rock cover that is almost unrecognizable from its original form.
Fans online were staggered by this ingenious cover of the Van Halen classic, with one describing it as unironically gorgeous. There can be a lot of potential in bringing classic tracks back and giving them a modern twist, be it in the guitar arena or electronica. One of the best examples of this is Disturbed’s cover of “The Sound of Silence”. Most would be shocked to hear that a metal band has covered a soft-spoken ballad, but it quickly became one of their best songs. Listen below:
A quick look at Alex Melton’s YouTube channel shows us that he is an incredibly talented musician who takes a lot of pleasure in taking huge hits over the years and changing them entirely. He has turned Foo Fighters’ “Everlong” into an emo anthem, and also offered a faster and heavier version of Taylor Swift’s “Ready For It”. He has also released videos of songs in the styles of other bands, such as Oasis’ “Wonderwall” in the style of Blink 182.
For more incredible music covers and to enjoy more of Alex Melton’s unique and creative interpretations of classic songs, feel free to subscribe to his YouTube Channel.