W.I.T.C.H. - Once In A Lifetime / Astrønne - Psycho Killer

This October, just in time for Halloween, BBE Music unveils a spine-tingling double feature from Naive Melodies—a visionary tribute album reimagining Talking Heads through the lens of Black musical innovation, curated by DJ-Producer Drew McFadden Perfect for your spooky party playlist, these two tracks also serve as a bold homage to the life and times of David Byrne and his groundbreaking sonic explorations.

Side A – W.I.T.C.H. “Once In A Lifetime”

Zamrock legends W.I.T.C.H. (We Intend To Cause Havoc) electrify Talking Heads’ existential classic with a searing reinterpretation. Once pioneers of Zambia’s psychedelic Afro-rock explosion in the 1970s, W.I.T.C.H. now channel their raw, hypnotic grooves and politically charged energy into a communal, heavy-hitting chant. Emmanuel “Jagari” Chanda leads the charge, transforming Byrne’s art-rock minimalism into a timeless, urgent anthem. Their version embodies the heartbeat of Naive Melodies: not mere imitation, but bold transformation—proof that “How did I get here?” still resonates across cultures and generations.

Side B – Astrønne “Psycho Killer”

Paris-based Cameroonian singer-songwriter Astrønne strips back one of Talking Heads’ most frenetic hits, “Psycho Killer,” into something hauntingly intimate. Known for her ethereal, multilingual songwriting and mastery of harp and guitar, she reframes jittery paranoia with breathy restraint and delicate strings. The result is a spectral, vulnerable take that turns chaos into quiet intensity—perfect for late-night shadows and candlelit playlists. Drawing on jazz, R&B, and alt-folk, Astrønne’s version highlights the global traditions that shaped Talking Heads, while carving out a voice all her own.

Together, W.I.T.C.H. and Astrønne deliver the ideal A/B side for the season: one track a fiery, communal invocation, the other a ghostly whisper from the dark. Both remind us that Talking Heads’ legacy is alive, evolving, and forever ripe for reinvention.