Blacklist Union featuring Lorraine Lewis

Some songs are so closely associated with the original artists that covering them can seem a thankless task. Blacklist Union avoid that trap with 'Jackson', giving the Johnny Cash and June Carter classic a complete makeover rather than simply trying to recreate it.

Featuring Tony West alongside former Vixen and Femme Fatale vocalist Lorraine Lewis, the track exchanges the original's Country bounce for a gritty blend of Punk attitude and Hard Rock swagger. The guitar work has the raw, uncompromising edge of Steve Jones-era Sex Pistols, while the vocals retain the playful back-and-forth that made the song memorable in the first place. West and Lewis complement each other well, their contrasting voices bringing plenty of character without straying too far from the spirit of the original.

The accompanying video, set in the Wildcatter Saloon, mirrors the track's rough-and-ready feel. The honky-tonk backdrop suits the song perfectly, with enough tongue-in-cheek charm to match the chemistry between the two singers.

Rather than treating 'Jackson' as a nostalgic exercise, Blacklist Union reshape it into something that sits comfortably alongside their own material, blending Outlaw Country with Punk energy and Rock 'n' Roll attitude. It is an imaginative reinterpretation that respects the original while confidently forging its own identity, and offers a taste of what fans can expect when the band arrives in the UK this September as part of their European tour with Faster Pussycat and Femme Fatale.

Ivan De Mello