Cat Power Honors Prince Legacy with Striking 'Nothing Compares 2 U' Cover on 'Redux' EP

Indie icon Cat Power reimagines Prince's timeless classic on her new 'Redux' EP, marking the 20th anniversary of 'The Greatest' amid ongoing Prince News celebrations.

Cat Power has released a poignant cover of Prince's iconic 'Nothing Compares 2 U' as the centerpiece of her new 'Redux' EP, paying tribute to the late legend nearly a decade after his passing. This reinterpretation arrives as part of the 20th anniversary commemoration of her landmark album 'The Greatest,' blending emotional depth with fresh perspective. Fans of Prince News will appreciate how this cover keeps his influence alive in contemporary indie music.

Updated: 15.03.2026

By Elena Voss, Senior Music Legacy Editor – Capturing the timeless echoes of icons like Prince through modern reinterpretations.

Current Developments in Prince's Enduring Legacy

The release of Cat Power's 'Redux' EP spotlights Prince's songwriting genius, with her version of 'Nothing Compares 2 U' capturing quiet intensity that honors the original's emotional core. Originally written by Prince for his side project The Family in 1985 and popularized by Sinéad O'Connor in 1990, the track remains a cornerstone of his catalog. This new take, out now via Domino Recording Company, underscores why Prince's music continues to resonate across genres and generations.

Recorded at Church House Studios in Austin with producer Stuart Sikes, the cover features backing from Dirty Delta Blues, including guitarist Judah Bauer, keyboardist Gregg Foreman, bassist Erik Paparozzi, and drummer Jim White. It also serves as a dedication to the late Teenie Hodges, the guitarist from the Memphis Rhythm Band who contributed to Cat Power's 'The Greatest.' This connection adds layers of musical history, linking Prince's funk-soul roots to indie reinterpretations.

Why This Cover Matters Now for Prince Fans

In 2026, as Prince News cycles through tributes and catalog revivals, Cat Power's version arrives at a moment when his opioid-related death in 2016 continues to prompt discussions on artist health and legacy preservation. Her subdued delivery strips back the drama, focusing on raw vulnerability that mirrors Prince's own intimate performances. This matters because it introduces his work to younger indie listeners who may know him more through samples or covers than originals.

'Redux' also revisits 'The Greatest' era, Cat Power's 2006 breakthrough that channeled soul and blues influences akin to Prince's eclectic style. By including Prince's track, she bridges her career arc with his, reminding audiences of his role as a genre-blender who influenced everyone from indie acts to pop stars. The EP's limited 10-inch vinyl edition enhances collectibility, appealing to vinyl enthusiasts amid a resurgence in physical formats.

Prince's 'Nothing Compares 2 U': A Songwriting Masterpiece Revisited

Prince penned 'Nothing Compares 2 U' during a prolific mid-80s period, demoing it himself before giving it to The Family. Its themes of heartbreak and loss found universal appeal through O'Connor's 1990 hit, which topped charts worldwide. Cat Power's rendition shifts the focus to hushed acoustics, emphasizing lyrics like 'It's been seven hours and fifteen days' with a intimacy that evokes Prince's unplugged moments.

This cover fits into a lineage of reinterpretations, from tributes post-2016 to ongoing covers by artists like Chris Cornell or Postmodern Jukebox. For Prince News followers, it highlights how his vault of unreleased material and hits sustain relevance, with streams spiking around anniversaries. The track's inclusion on 'Redux' alongside James Brown's 'Try Me' and Cat Power's 'Could We' creates a soulful triptych that nods to shared influences.

Cat Power's Career Context and Prince Connections

Chan Marshall, aka Cat Power, has long drawn from soul, blues, and rock traditions that Prince mastered. Her 'The Greatest,' recorded in Memphis with Hodges and others, echoed the Hi Records sound Prince admired. This EP not only marks 20 years since that album but also honors Hodges, who passed away, through music that feels personal and archival.

Prince's own battles with pain, culminating in his accidental fentanyl overdose on April 21, 2016, at Paisley Park, add somber weight to tributes like this. Found unresponsive in an elevator after a week of concerning incidents—including a jet emergency landing and naloxone treatment—his death at 57 shocked the world. Cat Power's cover, released amid ongoing estate management and catalog expansions, keeps conversations about artist vulnerability alive.

Streaming and Platform Impact in 2026

On platforms like Spotify and YouTube, Prince's catalog sees consistent plays, with 'Purple Rain' and 'Kiss' enduring staples. Cat Power's cover is already gaining traction digitally, potentially boosting co-streams as algorithms link covers to originals. TikTok searches for Prince yield fan edits and challenges, while Instagram reels feature live clips, showing his visual flair persists.

The 'Redux' EP's digital immediacy contrasts Prince's vinyl-heavy era, yet both eras value physical releases. Fans can expect playlist additions on Apple Music and Spotify, where curators often pair indie covers with funk-pop origins. This cross-pollination expands Prince's reach to non-traditional audiences.

Fan Reactions and Community Dynamics

Social media buzz around the cover mixes excitement with nostalgia, with fans noting how Cat Power captures Prince's emotional range without mimicry. Prince's devoted community, active on official channels despite his 2016 passing, engages with such releases through discussions on his guitar prowess—often debated in lists like Rolling Stone's greatest guitarists. Her version sparks threads on song evolution and tribute ethics.

No new tours or concerts exist given Prince's absence, but Paisley Park remains a pilgrimage site with museum exhibits and events. Cat Power's EP indirectly supports this by renewing interest in his live legacy of high-energy shows blending guitar wizardry and multi-instrumentalism.

Likely Next Steps and Open Questions

With 'Redux' out now, Cat Power may tour in support, potentially including Prince covers in sets, drawing co-headline potential with Prince tribute acts. The Prince estate continues releasing vault material, like expanded 'Sign o' the Times' editions, which could intersect with indie covers. Questions linger on whether more artists will tackle his deeper cuts amid opioid awareness campaigns sparked by his story.

Uncertainties include vinyl stock for collectors and streaming metrics, but the cover's reception suggests sustained momentum. For fans, it poses: how will Prince's sound evolve in AI-assisted remixes or future tributes?

Prince's Broader Cultural Footprint

Beyond music, Prince advocated for artist rights, battling Warner Bros. for master ownership—a blueprint for Taylor Swift and others. His 39 albums, seven Grammys, and Oscar for 'Purple Rain' cement icon status. Post-death sales surges, like 4.41 million units in one week, showed demand.

In 2026, documentaries and books revisit his life, from Minneapolis roots to Paisley Park empire. Cat Power's EP fits this revival, ensuring his purple reign endures.

Note: Dates, tickets, streams, and platform details may change at short notice.