During the Newport Folk Festival, singer‑songwriters Madi Diaz and Lucy Dacus put on an impressive weekend of performances. Dacus’s set featured numerous guests, including Hayley Williams, Brandon Flowers, and Diaz herself. Williams also hosted a guest‑heavy performance, with Diaz joining on “Find Me Here” and Dacus appearing on “Roses/Lotus/Violet/Iris.” Diaz has now unveiled a new duet version of her song “Heavy Metal,” recorded together with Dacus.
The original “Heavy Metal,” despite its title, appears on Diaz’s *Fatal Optimist* album from last year. Later this summer, Diaz will release an “UN‑unplugged” deluxe edition of *Fatal Optimist*, which will include the previously shared single “This is How a Woman Leaves.” Diaz and Dacus performed the duet version of “Heavy Metal” during Dacus’s Newport set. Diaz shares her thoughts on the collaboration:
Doesn’t Lucy Dacus just sound like Frank Sinatra with a velvet cape and gloves on? I could listen to her verse in my ears on repeat. I was so honored when she agreed to add her sparkle to this song. She is just so unbelievably hardcore. And on top of that, the band really shines on this track in every single way. I know we somehow made a longish track even longer but every tone, every note, every little break and shimmer is just so felt and tender. It goes so hard, but oh so sweetly – I almost wish it would play for forever.
Check it out below.
Fatal Optimist (UN-unplugged) is out 9/4 on Anti-.
