Matt Berninger – Blue Monday
Matt Berninger releases his cover of New Order’s 1983 classic “Blue Monday” to all streaming platforms after an exclusive Amazon Music run last September. The National frontman has been including the song in his live sets during his 2025 tour supporting his second solo album, “Get Sunk”, and New Order has long been one of his favourite bands.
Berninger’s version strips away the driving electronic beats of the original, replacing them with live instrumentation that centres his distinctive baritone voice. Recorded at Knobworld in Los Angeles with the same musicians from “Get Sunk”: Sean O’Brien on electric guitar and production, Garret Lang on bass, Julia Laws on synthesizers and backing vocals, and Sterling Laws on drums and percussion. Jannick Frampton assisted with recording.
O’Brien’s production takes a different approach to the synth-pop classic, building around guitars and live drums while keeping the electronic elements in the background. Accented synth strings appear throughout, with carefully arranged oscillating guitars tucked into the mix. At the end, choral echoes add feminine shades alongside dancepunk-style cowbells, creating individual facets around the iconic melody.
Berninger launches another US solo tour in March 2026. “Get Sunk”, released via Book/Concord Records, received critical acclaim and was named one of the best albums of 2025.
