The Gaslight Anthem have just released a new four-track EP, History Books – Short Stories, and it features a rousing cover of Ocean Eyes by Billie Eilish.

Words:Emily Carter

The Gaslight Anthem have just unveiled a brand-new four-track EP.

Entitled History Books – Short Stories, the Butch Walker-produced release includes two new acoustic versions of songs from last year’s brilliant comeback album History Books (the title-track and lead single Positive Charge), as well as an updated version of 2008’s Blue Jeans & White T-Shirts.

And, perhaps best of all, the whole thing opens up with a rousing cover of Ocean Eyes by Billie Eilish…

“We had an idea after we finished recording the album to record some acoustic versions of History Books and Positive Charge,” explains frontman Brian Fallon. “Then at the same time, I had been listening to this Billie Eilish song my daughter showed me on the way to school one morning called Ocean Eyes and I thought, ‘Hey, that would be a great song for The Gaslight Anthem to cover.’ I really enjoyed diving into this song and now I am a Billie Eilish fan.

“Then we decided that it was time to update one of our very favourite songs Blue Jeans & White T-Shirts,” he adds. “We had been messing with some of the location names to be more current – seems like real estate on Cookman Ave is all office buildings and condos for very, very rich people, maybe not the neighbours for me. So we updated a few choice Jersey locations – not to replace the old version, just more of a current look.”

Listen to History Books – Short Stories below:

Catch The Gaslight Anthem at the following UK dates:

March

22 Manchester O2 Apollo
23 Wolverhampton Civic Hall
25 London Roundhouse
26 London Roundhouse
27 London Roundhouse
29 Dublin 3Olympia
30 Dublin 3Olympia

July

10 Nottingham Rock City
11 Cheltenham 2000trees Festival