Through her stunning adaptation for the Australian radio show Like a Version, NIKI, the Indonesian singer-songwriter, has put her mark on Chappell Roan’s hit single, Casual. This rendition serves as a reinterpretation of Roan’s song, highlighting NIKI’s artistry and eclectic style.
A Musical Tribute: Why NIKI Chose This Song to Cover
On April 10th, Friday (Australian time), the fourteenth episode of the Like a Version cover competition was broadcast, and it was filmed during the Australian stop on NIKI’s Buzz World Tour. In the interview after the performance, NIKI shared how much she relates to Roan’s song, saying, “I wish I wrote it,” admiring the track. “Of course, I adore the whole record, but for me, ‘Casual’ stands out because it lived with me on a personal level. There’s something that makes me feel like I have known those melodies forever so it was simply so familiar and the production is oh so moody.”
NIKI’S A COVER ARTIST THAT CAN DO IT ALL.
Her cover of the song replaces the overused nostalgic synths with softer pieces like the Gibson 12-string guitar and slide guitar. These shifts are what set the fusion and textures of her song as a link between Roan’s cover and the country-pop style seen in her other single, “The Giver.”
NIKI went on to explain, “I remember conceiving the concept of my version of casual, and I pitched a faster tempo in my head to give it more of that vibe that we associate with the early 2000s, because on tour we’ve been pumping out a lot of early 2000s bangers.” This change in style infuses the cover with vibrancy while simultaneously adding a nostalgic touch, which is in harmony with the overarching feel of her Buzz tour. “Just to kind of tie it into that universe of my Buzz tour, we sort of like Buzz-ified it, I guess,” she expanded.
NIKI’s Performance: Uniqueness and Dynamism
NIKI began the Like a Version set with an original composition where she highlighted her creativity with her original song “Colossal Loss.” NIKI exuded her signature energy performing her “female rage” anthem “Colossal Loss,” a track that remains a fan favourite despite not being released as an official single. This performance captured NIKI’s expansive talent, setting the tone for the cover blend.
Like a Version: A Canvas of Artistic Transformation
The Like a Version series, a staple of Australian radio station triple j, has been a launching pad for unique musical reinterpretations since its inception in 2004. For nearly twenty years, countless artists such as Billie Eilish, Childish Gambino, and Arctic Monkeys have visited the Like a Version studio to perform for their fans and culture, re-recording them as remakes of hit songs.
A Cover That Links Times and Trends
NIKI’s take on “Casual” for Like A Version showcases not only her talent but also the functionalities of a contemporary song through her fresh perspective. Her captivating performance embodies a separate piece of artistry while paying tribute to the original, thanks to her incorporation of various contemporaneous and timeless musical elements. The cover is yet another addition to the ever-growing treasure chest that is the Like A Version series, providing yet another stimulus for how artists can remix and reinterpret the same music in a different manner.
