Lake Street Dive’s Fun Machine: The Sequel EP

July 18, 2023 by

If you’re looking for music that feels both nostalgic and new at the same time, take a listen to Lake Street Dive’s Fun Machine: The Sequel. The Brooklyn-based band’s EP full of reimagined cover songs brings the listener on a funk-infused journey.

LSD-Fun Machine The Sequel album art

Fun Machine: The Sequel / EP Cover Art

Fun Machine: The Sequel is- you guessed it- a sequel to their first EP of cover songs, Fun Machine EP. Similar to its predecessor, each song on the EP leaves the listener wondering where they’ve heard these songs before. Every song gives lead singer Rachael Price a chance to shine through her jazzy and emotion-filled tone.

Its first track, “Automatic”, originally performed by The Pointer Sisters, takes a new approach to the song by adding new instrumentation rather than the synthesized original, released in 1983. Track two, “Anyone Who Had A Heart” by Dionne Warwick, is a change through its faster pace, guitar accents by James Cornelison, and strong drum section from Mike Calabrese.

Lake Street Dive : Musings /photo by Shervin Lainez/ courtesy of Sacks & Co.

Lake Street Dive : Musing /photo by Shervin Lainez/ courtesy of Sacks & Co.

Two songs on the EP, “Linger” and “You’re Still The One”, are arguably Lake Street Dive’s most daring covers yet, as the original songs that were released by The Cranberries and Shania Twain, respectively, are listened to under the umbrella of two completely different genres. “Linger” was released as an alternative rock jam, while “You’re Still The One” is a country-pop record. The band is able to turn these songs around completely, turning “Linger” into a soulful funk song defined by Bridget Kearney’s bass section and “You’re Still The One” into an R&B ballad skillfully sung by the band’s keyboardist, Akie Bermiss.

Lake Street Dive’s selection of covers alone is enough to guarantee this EP a favorite amongst listeners. Each classic defines the band’s roots, but also sets them apart from the rest through their recognizable sound and blend of each member’s remarkable talent. After listening to this collection of songs, the significance of the title comes as no shock- Lake Street Dive put these classic covers through quite a fun machine!