#PENDANT offers a soothing and energetic cover of Underworld’s “Jumbo”

The FADER’s transgender charity covers compilation FADER & Friends Volume 1 is out now, available exclusively on Bandcamp until December 1, 2023. 100% of the proceeds go towards the Transgender Law Center, Mermaids, and Rainbow Railroad. Throughout the month of November, we’re speaking to the artists who contributed to the 44-song collection about the songs they covered.

One of the best sets of Coachella 2023 by far and away belonged to Underworld, the U.K. electronica pioneers who brought a selection of new cuts and classics (including the requisite appearance from their biggest hit “Born Slippy” from the Trainspotting soundtrack). “Jumbo” was perhaps a bit too chill for their set, but its bubbling and bugged-out grooves are a perfect match for PENDANT, the Saddle Creek-signed artist who brings similar energies to his experiments with energized music of all genres.

Listen to the song below and buy the full album on Bandcamp. Scroll down to read PENDANT on the original song and his cover.

What’s your first memory of this song?

I first heard “Jumbo” when I was living in Oakland some years ago. I was in the back seat of a friend’s car after a show. All of the windows were down and we were all smoking cigarettes — it just felt like the perfect song to drive around to at night.

Why did you decide to record it as your cover?

It’s a gorgeous song — super ethereal and psychedelic with a really emotional vocal performance. There aren’t a lot of sophisticated production tricks, just a great bass line and drum pattern, a few synths floating over everything. It’s not easy to make something so simple and beautiful. I appreciate that a lot.

What does this song/band mean to you personally?

Underworld represents a purity and freedom in music that I think is easily overlooked. They’re a group that is so clearly guided by their love for music and the mysterious powers it has over us. I want to trust my instincts the way they trust theirs and make music purely in pursuit of divine creation — to bring me closer to God.

What’s another song you’d love to cover and why?

I was thinking of covering “Digital Love” by Daft Punk but backed out in the middle of trying to recreate the instrumental. Too much going on in that song for me to handle by myself. I could dance to that song for hours on end.