Maryze and Skyler Cocco Release Sparkling New Cover of “COOL”

“COOL” by Maryze and Skyler Cocco

“COOL” by Gwen Stefani might just be one of my absolute favourite songs in the whole world, so it was nothing short of delightful to hear that Montreal talent Maryze released their own version on Wednesday. At the same time, it’s not an easy task to re-capture such magic. All too often with covers, the listener will yearn for a tasteful rendition only to be let down and left with a tarnished vision. 

But, luckily for you and me, this is not the case – Maryze and LA-based artist Skyler Cocco have teamed up to combine their vocal talents with bold stylistic choices. Their take on “COOL” is a delight for the ears, self-described as a “modernized sapphic version with an 80s nostalgic feel” while being so much more than that. It is easy to over-80s a song, which can make it feel corny, inauthentic, and hard to listen to, but this cover captures the essence of the decade and of Stefani’s yearning to maximize a vibe that is truly timeless.  

Of the single, Maryze states: 

“There’s something about “COOL” that always felt evocative to me. It wasn’t necessarily Gwen’s biggest hit, but the melancholy of a past relationship that didn’t go up in flames – where there’s still a lot of sweetness, even if things didn’t work out – always rang true to me. I was inspired to do a cover and Skyler was at the top of my list to collab with! We’d had a couple studio sessions so I knew our vocal tones blended well and that her production had a super polished 80s feel.”

The cover was created by a fully female team, performed by Skyler and Maryze while being produced, mixed and mastered by Skyler herself. The release follows Maryze’s French dance-pop success “Langue,” which went viral on Instagram and TikTok and gained her 25k new followers. The “COOL” visualizer, directed by Priscilla Mars, is out today and I’ve already had a special glimpse. The soft, warm colours allow you to be swept off to an 80s pop dreamscape. Watch and enjoy!

Regardless of whether this is your first introduction to “COOL,” or whether you’re curious for a new spin on a well-known song, let the harmonies of Maryze and Skyler Cocco take you on an emotional experience.

---

Maryze

Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify | TikTok

Skyler Cocco

Instagram | Spotify | TikTok

Minou (she/her) is part of the core editorial team at Also Cool Mag. She is an artist and newly-passionate writer based in Montreal. You can check out her beaded art on Instagram and her website.

---

Related Articles

Aura Moreno Affirms Life's Complexities with "A Love Story" (Part II)

Aura, photo courtesy of Ana Maria Hernandez

Today marks the Bandcamp release of A Love Story — the latest chapter in musician and creative Aura Moreno’s empire. The Providence-based artist is known for embracing her tastes and energies in all their forms, mixing them together with a charming and unapologetic confidence. With this latest mixtape, Aura leans into experimental textures, sensuous pop, and jolting effects to concoct an autobiographical roller-coaster ride.

After opening up to Also Cool about her formative experiences and creative stylings, Aura is ready to share more about what she believes and where she is headed. Continue on for the second-half of our heart-to-heart, where we explore the healing powers of expression and all the moves she is set to make.

Aura, photo courtesy of Ana Maria Hernandez

Rebecca Judd for Also Cool: In that vein, something that excites me with your music is how escapist it is, while also being contemplative and heartening. You describe your music as “crafted with the intention to dance, heal, and reflect” — many of your tracks convey that beautifully. Have you always incorporated affirmations into your music? 

Aura Moreno: Well, my music has always been honest and true to my experience, so I’ve incorporated affirmations previously, but unconsciously. With my album Understanding, it all was made purposefully, with intention. I needed to hear those songs and conduct that light energy.

Prior to creating that album, It had been brought to my attention that, back in the day when music came to be, people chanted to manifest a better life. To have a powerful frequency like that moving throughout the world, I began to think “Well, now that I know that, why would I just say any old rhymey thing on my songs?”  I’m using this talent to my advantage, to heal myself and to aid the healing of those who are listening! 

Also Cool: Absolutely. Your music has many powerful reflections on how individuals can treat themselves, but also how they can treat each other. I was just listening to “What I Want” [from Aura’s album Understanding], thinking about how I have friends who are going through difficulties. “Give them their flowers while they’re still here”  — that got me in my feels.

AC: How has music helped you to build yourself back up?

Aura: When I was introduced to 90s hip-hop, I was confused about life, feelings, and relationships. As I studied the music of artists like Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Common, Tupac, A Tribe Called Quest, Slum Village, etc., they painted beautiful images of love and life. I really felt it, but more importantly I understood. That was life-changing.

Within my own work, I was going through it heavily when I started writing Understanding. There was so much shifting in my life: I had lost my apartment, I had no mentors or guidance, and quite a few of my close friendships were falling away, one of them of over 10 years strong. In the midst of all of this, I had lost my identity… I felt alone, hopeless and was deeply unable to validate myself. Creating the album (along with some prayer) was a big step in the process of getting back to my purpose and values.

I appreciate music so much, because every song I’ve made has been a footnote to circle back to. When I listen, I remember certain lessons I’ve learned, feelings or situations I’ve overcome. I’m able to reset, even if it might take some patience and reiteration.

AC: It can be something where people put their own experiences into [their interpretations of] your music, but you orient yourself through it as well. It gives you context for your own future.

Aura: Literally. Once anything goes public, everyone is able to attach their own meaning to it. As long as it’s inspiring and encouraging, I’m happy. Personally, this is my journal that I don’t have to have physically.

Aura, photo courtesy of Ana Maria Hernandez

AC: I’ve loved watching your live performances! If you were to curate the Aura show of your dreams, what kind of atmosphere would you have, and which artists would share the stage? What would be your dream presentation of yourself?

Aura: Definitely green pastures. I love performing outdoors. If I could just perform in a beautiful field, where people are connecting with the Earth… shoes-off vibe, there’s weed, there’s ice cold fresh-squeezed lemonade, there’s bubbles, the sun is shining with a light breeze and it’s just a high vibration… I would want to connect with all the people who are there to have fun and share Love. and the sound system would be incredible of course! 

I would love to perform with some friends — Cassius Cruz, Project Gurl, Homeboyextra, Blue Mena. I’m also really into Babyxsosa right now, she’s incredible. I would love to have a show with her, Pete Rock, baby.com, Pierre Bourne, Hook, Princess Nokia, Rosalia, SZA. And Charli XCX as well!

AC: Absolutely! An Aura collaboration with some metal artists would be really special.

Aura: Yeah, I definitely want to make rock music and metal in the future. I don’t think that I’m a screamer yet, but it’s coming.

I wouldn’t doubt me doing any sort of music, you know? I love country as well, like Johnny Cash, and Leonard Cohen is also an influence. And Neil Young…

AC: Looking into the future, you’ve got a lot on the go. What are your next projects, and your intentions for the rest of the year?

Aura: I’m trying to take the business side of music more seriously. In all these years, I’ve prioritized the creation versus the earning, but I do need to take care of myself. My music is incredible, my heart is pure… I deserve so much. I have a whole résumé of music that I could have tried to monetize in different ways had I learned the game sooner, so I guess I’m trying to be a girl-boss with the music shit? *laughs* I’m also in my baddie era, so I’ve got a mixtape [“A Love Story”] coming soon with all those vibes!

I’m working to become more positive within myself and know that I am limitless — we all are! But I want to feel it and know it deep in my bones. I don’t want to doubt myself or worry anymore. I’m trying to pay attention to where I feel worried about life and rework those thoughts. I’m also trying to move to LA, and get my connections up and get my name out there. I’d like to create, release, and perform a lot more. It’s time to level up, period!

I moved back home June of 2021. After not being around for a while, I wanted to come home and re-centre. I’ve been going out more, talking to different people, and re-introducing myself  — despite growing up here, I don’t think I was ever really “in the community”. I had my friends and stuck to my friends. But I’ve been trying to find what’s happening around town, checking out different scenes. It’s been beautiful to see [Providence] flourishing in such a creative way. There’s so much potential here, I’m just trying to enjoy it while I'm around.

---

A Love Story

Out June 6th, 2022 via all streaming services (Soundcloud version out June 1st, Bandcamp version out June 3rd)

1. OUF! (snippet)

2. A Love Story

3. flip phone freestyle

4. guesss nottt

5. Culo de Oro

6. Canvas

7. fuck off (demo)

8. Su Música Suena (demo)

Produced by Jay Almeida, Kris Fame, Black Surfer, eqobKING, Cassius Cruz, Nestro, MasterJo, playshado, Tompsy, and Aura

Mixed by CR3AMER

Additional lines on track 5 by Debra Brito

All music written by Aura, with additional writing by eqobKING (track 4) and Kufa Castro (track 6)

Cover image by Ana Maria Hernandez

NYC Also Coolers can check out Aura’s mixtape release party this Sunday, June 5th at Pianos NYC from 8 to 11 PM! Take a peep at the flyer below (made by Aura!) for more info.

---

Aura

Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify

YouTube | Apple Music | Twitter | Soundcloud | TikTok

Rebecca Judd is the features editor of Also Cool Mag.

---

Related Articles

Alpen Glow's Latest Single "Boring Potion" Serves Up Disco-Pop Candor

“Boring Potion” single art by Amery Sandford

It’s an ongoing joke here at Also Cool HQ that we are all deathly terrified of being perceived. We are, of course, never alone – no matter your creative discipline, it’s a common predicament to be stuck in the fear, annoyance, or outright disinterest that comes with establishing yourself and your artistic outputs as a Brand ™. Enter Alpen Glow with “Boring Potion”, a sparkling disco number that wraps these grievances in a hyper-saturated sheen.

Alpen Glow is the loner pop project of Montreal-based visual artist and musician Amery Sandford (also of BBQT and Born at Midnite). Her work as Alpen Glow is characterized by an interest in the constructed persona and escapism into digital realities, as reflected on releases like debut EP Amertape 2020. Sandford’s music balances refreshing sincerity with an appreciation for the transcendent qualities of a good pop hook. A winning recipe!

Amery Sandford of Alpen Glow. Photo courtesy of Tess Roby

“Boring Potion” unites listeners with its bright keys and light-hearted rumination. The track’s musings implore us all to explore our varyingly-tormented relationships with press cycles and story shares. On the makings of the track, Sandford explains:

“I made this song last winter when we had curfew at 8 pm every night in Montreal. These depressing circumstances manifested in me a very intense figure skating addiction, and everyday I would go to the park by my house and twirl around to F.R. David's Words album. It totally inspired this disco track that I made to let out some frustrations about feeling obligated to constantly self promote online.”

Complementing the release of “Boring Potion” is a charming visualizer video, also concocted by Sandford. Viewers take a trip inside the unofficial Alpen Glow bar, a 80s-tinged fever dream of dancing chalices and wildlife portraiture. Between this space and the Amerbar depicted in “Saturday Nite”, we propose a bar crawl. Drinks on us.

Watch the “Boring Potion” visualiser below!

Alpen Glow

Instagram | Bandcamp | YouTube

Spotify | Apple Music | Website

Rebecca Judd is the features editor of Also Cool Mag.

---

Related Articles