The band Real Friends is streaming their new EP, Put Yourself Back Together and I absolutely adore it. I have had this band suggested to me countless times, but I’d never had the chance to check them out. Now I regret not doing it earlier.
“Late Nights In My Car” has a hint of a TWY influence- the vocals sound a little like Soupy, but they’re still unique enough to be separately enjoyable. The “pop punk” genre is a difficult one; some musicians tend to sound the same. However, Real Friends walk the brink and what sets them apart, at least in this tune, is the edge to the voice and the phenomenal drumming. It feels raw and powerful, and is totally captivating. I love it.
The song “Dead” is absolutely incredible. I can’t get enough of it. First off, I must say that a drummer makes or breaks a band- if you have a bad drummer, I can’t tolerate you. That being said, holy crap is Real Friends’ drummer awesome. That paired with the perfect guitars and bass make a complex and weaving undertone that lays beneath the vocals. The composition is interesting, and each time I listen to it, I notice something new. I got chills around the third listen simply from the “you wanted me when I was running away” line- it’s so perfectly placed.
I can’t get enough of “Old And All Alone”. It’s super catchy and has your typical pop-punk feel, but once again, the vocals give me goosebumps. The harmonies and deep guitars lead up to the stadium-worthy chorus; what I like about this is how the song goes from 1 to 10 without it being awkward. Stripping down the instruments and then building it up is hard to do, but they totally pull it off. It’s my favourite on the whole EP.
I can’t believe I hadn’t heard Real Friends before. If you haven’t, you’re missing out.