Cover your tracks: Synthpop cover songs of 2023 – part 1

Every year around this time, I compile a list of cover songs from the world of synthpop and darkwave music. I typically include 25 tracks in my list, but this year we’re doing a whopping 50. Were there more covers released this year? I don’t know. I just got better at keeping records.

Here are the first 25 cover songs from my list of favorites released this year—in alphabetical order by artists’ name. Tomorrow, we’ll complete the list with the remaining 25. Then we’ll get to counting down my favorite synthpop music videos, songs, and albums of 2023.

And in case you missed it, read my interview with KUNT, my pick for best new synthpop artist of the year.

3TEETH – “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” (original song by Tears for Fears)

The Anchoress – “Bizarre Love Triangle” (original song by New Order)

Andreas Davids & Sven Phalanx feat. Different Souls – “Warm Leatherette” (original song by The Normal)

Black Nail Cabaret – “Happy House” (original song by Siouxsie and the Banshees”)

Buzz Kull – “Fascination Street” (original song by The Cure)

Cold Connection – “Ashes” (original song by Page)

Covered in Snow – “Can’t Help Falling in Love” (original song by Elvis Presley)

CZARINA – “The Outsider” (original song by A Perfect Circle)

Danny Blu X Moris Blak – “Rhythm Nation 2023” (original song by Janet Jackson)

DSTR feat. Lennart A. Salomon – “Bad Kingdom” (original song by Moderat)

Ductape – “Marian” (original song by The Sisters of Mercy)

Ego Likeness – “Live to Tell” (original song by Madonna)

FEVR feat. Vick Vapors and My Vivid Mind – “Sulk” (original song by TR/ST)

Fractal Age – “Love Is a Shield” (original song by Camouflage)

Future Analog & Wesley Reid – “Strangelove” (original song by Depeche Mode)

Garbage – “Cities in Dust” (original song by Siouxsie and the Banshees)

Gunship – “Send Me an Angel” (original song by Real Life)

Halovox – “The Ubiquitous Mr. Lovegrove” (original song by Dead Can Dance)

Harsh Symmetry – “Open Your Heart” (original song by Madonna)

IIOIOIOII – “Change Your Mind” (original song by Sharpe & Numan)

Italoconnection – “Flexible Heart” (original song by Jaakko Eino Kalevi)

Izzy Perri – “Mr. Brightside” (original song by The Killers)

Mechanical Cabaret – “Revenge” (original song by Ministry)

Menschdefekt & j:dead – “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)” (original song by Dead or Alive)

Minimal Schlager – “Running Up That Hill” (original song by Kate Bush)