In recent years, the Norwegian singer-songwriter Sondre Lerche has made a holiday tradition out of sending us a new cover every year. He picks out a track from the year that’s just ending, records his version, and sends it to us. In years past, he’s taken on songs from Animal Collective, Owen Pallett, and Beyoncé. This year, he’s got a jazzy, off-kilter version of the massive Miley Cyrus power ballad “Wrecking Ball,” a song already covered by HAIM, Angel Haze, and London Grammar. It’s a modern standard! Download the Sondre Lerche take on it and read some words from Lerche below.

Sondre Lerche – “Wrecking Ball” (Miley Cyrus Cover)

Lerche writes:

As has become tradition, here is my Christmas gift to you in the shape of a cover of a song from the year that’s about to end. Of the many songs I’ve loved this year (check out my 2013 playlist), I had trouble finding one that I felt truly motivated to interpret. So while Wrecking Ball may not be my very favorite song of 2013, it turned out to be the one I would most like to play at 3 am last night. It was my friend, producer and drummer on this recording, Matias Tellez, who suggested we try a little Miley Cyrus this season. We recorded it live at Skogen, Matias’ studio in Bergen where half of my next record is recorded (and where Matias also recorded one of the best records of the year with his band Young Dreams). It’s a robust little fucker. A song that can withstand inhumane acts of twerking, overexposure, and yet another unwarranted cover. Please accept this gift as a token of my appreciation of you fantastic followers and/or fan. There’s so much I cannot wait to share in 2014. This will be our year. Much love and Happy Holidays to all.

“Wrecking Ball” was my favorite song of 2013, so high fives all around on that decision.