[NO COUNTRY PREMIERE] Watch Kellie Besch’s Dreamy Cover of Sylvan Esso’s “Die Young”

Forward-thinking indie pop duo Sylvan Esso saw the release of their second full-length album What Now accompanied by low-humming single “Die Young.” Local synthy songwriter Kellie Besch tackles the track in a live cover video exclusively premiering here at No Country for New Nashville. We loved Besch’s expansive pop sound on her debut EP, which makes for a thrilling fit for “Die Young.” Her succulent-adorned keys give the cover a prickly spike when the chorus hits, and Besch’s vocals do Sylvan Esso vocalist Amelia Meath’s original lines justice.

Besch elaborates on why she chose the cover, saying “My producer Nathan Gamble and I are obsessed with Sylvan Esso. I think they’re one of the most innovative bands out there right now. Nick Sanborn’s production is so complex and fun and completely marked by analog synthesizers (my favorite), and Amelia Meath’s vocals are downright dreamy. The combo of those two and the way they play with rhythm and syncopation is incredible. Exploring their music has always been a way for Nathan and I to learn new techniques and gain inspiration. ‘Die Young’ is my favorite song off of their new album What Now, released at the end of this past April,” Besch continues. “It’s really deep, lyrically — I had a lot of fun diving into it as we worked on this cover and finding new meaning each time I sang it. It’s sweet in a kind of cheeky way.”

Sylvan Esso play The Ryman on Sept. 22, but in the meantime, watch Kellie Besch’s live cover video of “Die Young” below.