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Audrey Hobert has released her take on her brother Malcolm Todd‘s introspective track “Earrings” through Triple J’s Like A Version program, continuing a sibling musical exchange that began when Malcolm covered her song “Phoebe” just weeks earlier. The May 28 performance marks the second reciprocal cover between the two Los Angeles-based musicians, both carrying forward a family legacy rooted in creative storytelling and emotional depth.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Audrey Hobert covers Malcolm Todd’s “Earrings” on May 28, 2026
- Malcolm previously covered Audrey’s “Phoebe” in April 2026
- Malcolm Todd Hobert (born September 15, 2003) signed to Columbia Records
- The Hobert family prioritizes creative expression: father worked as television scriptwriter
- Like A Version is Triple J’s signature format: one original, one cover song per session
The Song: Emotional Communication Breakdown
“Earrings” is fundamentally about relationship paralysis — the narrator loses earrings in a lover’s bed but cannot bring himself to communicate about it. The song explores fear, silence, and emotional distance that follows intimacy. According to music analysis platforms, the track functions as a metaphor for lost contact and fear of vulnerability in romantic relationships. Malcolm Todd’s original composition captures the feeling of having a reason to reconnect but being too frightened to do so.
The alternative R&B sound combines introspective lyrics with a minimalist production style, reflecting Todd’s signature approach to songwriting. This sonic palette gave Audrey room to reinterpret the song’s emotional core through her own musical perspective.
Malcolm Todd’s sister Audrey Hobert covers ‘Earrings’ for Like A Version just now
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The Sibling Music Legacy
The Hobert family creative tradition runs deeper than a single generation. According to music industry sources, Malcolm’s father worked as a television scriptwriter, establishing a household where storytelling and emotional communication through art became foundational. This influences both Malcolm and Audrey’s approach to songwriting and performance.
Malcolm Todd Hobert, born September 15, 2003, has emerged as a significant voice in contemporary alternative music. He signed to Columbia Records after gaining attention through his bedroom-pop aesthetic and biting social commentary. His breakthrough came through a hybrid of soul, R&B, and punk influences. Audrey, his older sister, brings her own established musical career to this exchange, having released work through various independent and label partnerships.
The April-to-May 2026 cover exchange represents a deliberate creative dialogue between siblings. When Malcolm covered “Phoebe” in late April, he recontextualized his sister’s original into a rock-inflected arrangement, honoring her songwriting while stamping his own identity on it. This reciprocal gesture demonstrates mutual artistic respect and family-centered collaboration in an industry often defined by competition.
Like A Version: The Platform and Format
| Aspect | Details |
| Program | Triple J Like A Version (ABC) |
| Format | Two songs per artist: one original, one cover |
| Notable Recent Guests (May 2026) | Matt Corby, Genesis Owusu, Malcolm Todd, Audrey Hobert |
| Frequency | Weekly Thursday sessions with companion podcast |
| Reach | YouTube, Triple J Radio, ABC iView, streaming platforms |
Like A Version has become the most prestigious cover series in Australian contemporary music, hosting artists from The Wombats (five appearances) and Josh Pyke (four appearances) to emerging singer-songwriters. The program functions as a credibility platform where reinterpretation of material demonstrates artistic range and studio craft. Audrey’s appearance continues Triple J’s tradition of featuring working musicians with significant catalog depth rather than just chart-based artists.
“The sweetest Like A Version performance our studios have ever seen” was how Triple J described Malcolm Todd’s rendering of his sister’s “Phoebe,” capturing the genuine emotional investment both siblings bring to this mutual artistic venture.
— Triple J Editorial, April 30, 2026
What This Exchange Reveals About Contemporary Music
The Todd-Hobert cover exchange demonstrates several trends in contemporary music: family-centered collaboration has become a selling point rather than a novelty, streaming platforms enable artists to reach audiences without traditional gatekeeping, and vulnerable songwriting dominates over manufactured pop hooks. Both siblings approach music with genuine emotional depth rather than commercial calculation.
Audrey’s cover of “Earrings” also reflects a broader shift toward female artists reinterpreting traditionally male-artist material. Rather than passive covers, modern interpretations represent active dialogue— the artist brings her own instrumental choices, vocal textures, and emotional emphasis to reshape the song. This transforms the cover from imitation into collaboration across time and studio sessions.
Looking Forward: What’s Next for the Hobmerts?
The May 28 performance raises intriguing questions about future collaboration. Will Malcolm and Audrey eventually release a joint project? Will they perform together live following these studio exchanges? The sibling dynamic adds compelling narrative depth to their individual careers—each performance carries the weight of family history, mutual support, and inherited creative DNA.
Malcolm Todd continues building momentum as a Columbia Records artist with growing streaming presence. Audrey Hobert, with her established album catalog and independent following, demonstrates the viability of sustained music careers outside traditional industry structures. Their continued visibility on Like A Version—one of music’s most respected live platforms—signals that both are positioned for career longevity and artistic evolution.
Sources
- Triple J Like A Version Program (ABC) — Official broadcast and podcast recordings
- Genius Lyrics & SongFacts — “Earrings” songwriting analysis and lyrical meaning
- Spotify & streaming platforms — Malcolm Todd and Audrey Hobert discography verification
- Coup de Main Magazine — April 30-May 1, 2026 coverage of the sibling cover exchange
