Bills & Aches & Blues (Various Artists)

In 2020, 4AD turned 40. Never one to be on time for a party, the label is commemorating that landmark this year with the release of Bills and Aches and Blues. The compilation features 18 of it's current artists covering a song of their choosing from 4AD's past: a creative experiment rooted in the spirit of collaboration and a snapshot of 4AD, 41 years after it's inception. Bills and Aches and Blues' 18 recordings contain fascinating connections between artist and track. The earliest song chosen (by U.S. Girls) is The Birthday Party's Junkyard, from 1981; the most recent are the two Grimes covers ('Genesis' and 'Oblivion', respectively by Spencer. And Dry Cleaning) from 2012. Suitably, for the one band that bridges 4AD past and present, The Breeders are all over Bills And Aches And Blues. They're covered three times - 'Cannonball' by Tune-Yards, 'Mountain Battles' by Bradford Cox of Deerhunter and 'Off You' by Big Thief, whilst The Breeders cover 'The Dirt Eaters' by their '90s contemporaries His Name Is Alive.