It’s very hard to recreate an emo classic, especially one as iconic as AFI’s 2006 hit “Miss Murder.” The track is just one of those songs that is so good and was such a staple in every teenager's early 2000s playlist that no one could ever possibly cover it and do it justice, right? Well, let me introduce you to the woman you did just that. In her recently released cover of “Miss Murder,” rising pop-rock artist Charlotte Sands shows her musicianship by not only honoring the original version, but also putting a creative and modern spin on the beloved song.
The single is the 7th track released in connection with Sumerian Comics’ American Psycho limited series, which delves deeper into the world of the horror, cult-classic film and its infamous serial killer, Patrick Bateman. The horror-themed soundtrack includes songs from bands such as Puscifer, Unlike Pluto, and the metalcore kings of horror themselves, Ice Nine Kills. Sands’ cover not only stacks up to the rest of the songs on this soundtrack, but I think it might actually surpass them, making it the best track on the list.
As I previously mentioned, the cover is a more modern take on the song. While it still has that distinct, early 2000s angst and heaviness to it, Sands’ version has a more refined and mysterious element to it. Her strong voice really lends itself to the explosive choruses and is one of the things that really stands out in this new version. The song's smooth verses keep the listener intrigued as they lead up to a climatic eruption of distorted chords and loud drum beats during the bridge, with Sands’ vocals soaring over the top of them.
The music video does a fantastic job paying homage to the American Psycho film. It depicts Sands’ as the female equivalent to Patrick Bateman, dressed up in a stylish black suit and wielding two of the characters’ most iconic weapons, the kitchen knife and axe. Sands’ delivers a powerful and alluring performance, as the video cuts between shots of her rocking out with her band and the more cinematic sequences of her twisting a knife forebodingly, leading up to the video’s bloody reveal during the song's bridge.
Charlotte Sands’ rendition of “Miss Murder” was truly a perfect cover, in my opinion. Giving a hit of nostalgia for the old fans of the AFI classic while giving new fans a brand new banger that they are sure to enjoy.
