Cover songs can be tricky territory. You’ve got to respect the original while somehow carving out your own identity within it — and that’s no easy feat, especially when you’re taking on something as beloved and punchy as Paramore’s “Rose-Colored Boy.” But CROSSTOWN, the Los Angeles-based duo made up of singer/producer/guitarist Danny Mitchell and bassist Lily Santos, doesn’t just cover the song. They reimagine it, dip it in glitter, give it a pulse, and set it free on the dancefloor.

Dropped on July 25th, 2025, this version of “Rose-Colored Boy” is like putting on your favorite vintage band tee and then throwing a sequin blazer over it. It’s got edge and nostalgia but arrives with enough electro and dance-pop sparkle to make it feel brand new. CROSSTOWN takes the angsty energy of Paramore’s original and morphs it into something sleeker, more introspective, and — let’s be real — much more likely to end up on a party playlist.

One of the most fascinating parts of this project is the recording process itself. This wasn’t born in a million-dollar studio or surrounded by a team of engineers. It happened in the homes of Danny and Lily — literally. With Danny throwing a weighted blanket over his home setup to muffle outside noise, the DIY spirit is alive and well. Yet despite the humble conditions, the final product sounds anything but homemade.

What really makes this version stand out, though, is how emotionally connected Danny is to the material. While it’s a cover, this isn’t just a band hitting “record” on someone else’s hit. Danny has said that he often sees himself in the lyrics — that “rose-colored boy” idealism, the inner conflict between optimism and reality. That emotional thread weaves through the performance, giving the vocals a lived-in feel that’s hard to fake. This is personal, and you can hear it.

Musically, the track nods to the band’s varied influences — Lady Gaga’s glam-pop drama, MGMT’s electro-weirdness, Robyn’s dance-floor vulnerability, and even some of Muse’s dystopian theatrics. The result is a fresh take that doesn’t erase the original’s fire, but filters it through a cooler, dreamier lens. The basslines still slap, but now they shimmer. The beat still drives, but now it pulses with a kind of neon intensity.

And let’s talk about Lily Santos for a second — the bass on this track? Subtle but killer. The tone glues everything together and adds a depth that keeps the song grounded, even when the synths start to soar.

CROSSTOWN is set to perform live at the iconic Hollywood venue Harvard and Stone on August 17th, and if this track is any indication, their live set is going to be one hell of a ride — genre-defying, danceable, and full of feeling. Plus, with a debut album dropping this fall, this release feels like just the beginning of something much bigger.

In the end, CROSSTOWN’s “Rose-Colored Boy” isn’t just a cover. It’s a love letter, a personal reckoning, and a dance-floor invitation all rolled into one. It’s the kind of track that might lead someone to rediscover Paramore, or maybe just find something new to scream-sing in the car. Either way, it’s a win.

So go ahead — hit play, turn it up, and maybe, just maybe, let your own rose-colored side out for a spin.

“Rose-Colored Boy” is available now on all major streaming platforms

Listen to CROSSTOWN and other similar artists on our Spotify Playlist ‘New Music Spotlight - Indie & Alternative’

“Rose-Colored Boy” - CROSSTOWN

“Third Like” - WONDERLOST

“God of the Dead” - Rosetta West