Left to right: Phoebe Bridgers, photo by Paul Mescal; Mimi Parker, photo by Nathan Keay; Lukas Frank (Storefront Church), photo by Lili Peper via Sargent House.
Lukas Frank (Storefront Church) and Phoebe Bridgers have shared a cover of “Words,” the opening track from Low’s debut studio LP, I Could Live in Hope, released 28 years ago today. Frank and Bridgers recorded their new rendition in tribute to Mimi Parker, Low’s drummer and co-lead vocalist, who died last month at 55 after a long battle with ovarian cancer.
“In the wake of Mimi’s passing, I’d like to dedicate this to her,” Frank wrote in an Instagram post announcing today’s cover. “Low’s music has been incredibly useful to me; it’s like an antidote to anxiety, with Mimi’s voice at the heart of it — relieving, cathartic and honest.”
Where the original “Words” is austere and understated — a near-platonic example of the slowcore style Low helped pioneer — Frank and Bridgers’ version is a lush, upbeat rework, centering hopeful, arpeggiated piano chords, strings, and Frank’s clear, cantorly voice. Watch its Jesus-themed lyric video below.
