Charli XCX Covers Taylor Swift With An Edgier Version Of ‘Shake It Off’ [Video]

Artists often cover the songs of their peers, when they are invited into BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge with results that often challenge the boundaries of the various music genres. Time magazine cites Haim’s cover of Beyoncé as one such mash-up. More recently, Charli XCX stopped by the BBC studio to cover Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off,” giving it a slightly heavier, punk sound.

“… she gave Taylor Swift’s Grammy-nominated ‘Shake It Off’ a punk-rock makeover that would have sounded right at home on her new album, Sucker, thanks to its rolling bass line and Ramones-esque shouts.”

Charli XCX gives a performance that updates the recent Taylor Swift hit with an edgier sound, making the pop hit more accessible to fans of other genres, while keeping with the fast-paced beat. Back-up singing for Charli XCX, her band added to the rock-themed cover with “… proper pub punk shouts,” according to Rolling Stone.

Charli XCX, born Charlotte Emma Aitchison, debuted with her first EP, “You’re The One,” in June of 2012 and, following a delay of nearly a year, Charli XCX released her first studio album, True Romance, in April 2013. Even so, her stardom wasn’t achieved until she had been featured on tracks with other artists, such as Icona Pop’s “I Love It” and Iggy Azalea’s “Fancy.”

Things may be changing for Charli XCX, following the release of her second LP, Sucker. That album has already produced the top ten hits “Boom Clap” and “Break The Rules.” Those hits have been more recently followed up by Charli’s “Doing It,” a song which also features British singer/songwriter Rita Ora.

Although “Fancy” was nominated for two Grammys, Charli XCX came away from the show without any awards. That hasn’t stopped her. In addition to stopping by BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge to perform that Taylor Swift cover, Charli has been busy planning tours and events to promote Sucker and the hits that album has produced. Following a tour that will have her opening for Perry on the European half of her Prism tour, Charli XCX will embark on her own international Sucker tour.

Charli also collaborated on a track on the upcoming release of Giorgio Moroder’s latest album.

“I was surprised he reached out to me to be honest,” Charli told Rolling Stone.

“He’s such a legend and I was truly honored.”

For those that missed the Grammys, Inquisitr brings the opportunity to see the live streaming show online.