A story of love, friendship, and finding your place in the world again, the run of eleven tracks perfectly encapsulates the band’s new beginning, whilst oozing with ‘indie poptimism’ (a phrase the foursome have somewhat unofficially coined).
In the honesty and fun of their new music, there’s a cathartic freedom in their decision to truly enjoy themselves. The songs on their latest album radiate authenticity without taking themselves too seriously. That said, make no mistake, this album is a serious statement when it comes to Fickle Friends’ reestablishing themselves in the music scene.
Opener ‘Bleach’ starts with gentle guitars and atmospheric swells, before two crashing drum hits, almost a declaration of ‘here goes nothing’, introducing a warm blend of guitars, percussion, and pulsing synths that embody that unmistakable Fickle Friends’ sound.
Frontwoman Natassja Shiner’s vocals quickly enter with "We talk a lot / friends maybe not / you’re back in town on Thursday", as the song explores the fluttering feelings of new relationships, just when you wonder "this could be love". The song carries a lightheartedness that almost bottles up the nostalgia of 2010s indie and refreshes it effortlessly, making it the perfect opener to introduce this new chapter. This atmosphere then seeps into the following number ‘Wow’, radiating that same ‘straight out of a rom-com,’ bubbly charm. Impossible not to groove along to, it’s upbeat and busy without a huge anthemic chorus (and it doesn’t feel lacking without).
A standout for many and the most popular single in the run-up to the album release is ‘Happier’, a track that truly conveys what the new Fickle Friends era is all about. Jangly guitars, energetic percussion, and punchy synths intertwine with ease and as a result, deliver feel-good indie at its absolute best.
Built to sing along to, the lyrics "I couldn’t be happier than I am right now / than I am right now", repeat for a cathartic chorus - And if you’ve been to one of the band’s gigs recently, you should be very well versed in singing this line back to them. Constantly driven forward by its energetic arrangement, the track feels genuinely reflective of the foursome’s growth and navigation through difficult times, amplified even more by the unexpected yet seamless key change.
For a brief moment, things calm down with ‘Honest, one of the album’s more relaxed songs. Still remaining upbeat, because this is Fickle Friends after all, dreamy vocals sit perfectly on top of shimmery guitars, and at a minute and a half, this short but mighty song offers space to breathe in between the more chaotic tracks. It doesn’t take long for things to pick back up again, as infectious single ‘Joe’ is next on the lineup. An immediate burst of energy that perfectly encapsulates the rush, excitement, and nerves of a new relationship, the track kicks off with the lyrics “I just need a little reassurance today, would you love me if I was a worm?”. With punchy guitars and euphoric hooks, ‘Joe’ is an addictive earworm that exudes playfulness.
Driven by funky bass and fun percussion, up next is ‘Fantasy’. Fast-paced and dynamic, it’s a masterful formula for an addictive listen that works its way into your head and stays there (but you won’t be mad about it).
While it might be November, ‘Swoon’ immediately transports listeners back to summer. Exploring the infatuation and chemistry of dating someone new, Fickle Friends manage to completely bring that energy to life through a perfect blend of shimmery guitars and pulsating bass. Layered with synth swells and dreamy vocals, excitement builds as the song progresses that effortlessly capturing the anticipation of a hazy, half-drunk connection.
Followed by ‘Feral’, the band keeps the excitement alive as they delve into having maybe one too many drinks on a night out. Whilst the verses remain mostly calm, the song’s perfectly messy chorus comes in hard, almost reflective of being hit in the face by the sudden realisation you’re drunk. The guitar is a clear standout throughout, and with a rhythmic, infectious solo bringing the track to a close, it’s definitely one to dance to.
A noticeable shift in mood takes place with ‘Fear’, a much darker and moodier number that certainly stands out amongst the rest of the tracklist. With lyrics like "I just miss being happy", if you’re here for the upbeat, indie pop, then this might not be your go-to. Penultimate track ‘Dream’ picks things up again, but is still one of the softer songs on the album.
Rest assured, things don't stay calm for too long, with album closer ‘UP!’ bringing in some serious energy one final time. Naming their friends throughout, it’s a wholesome ode to the power of friendship and the importance of having people to pick you up (pardon the pun) when things get tough. High energy and packed with punchy synths, ‘UP!’ brings things to a close with a pure party; it’s the ultimate nod to the new era of Fickle Friends.
A cohesive album that’s sure of itself and makes it known that the band is too, ‘Fickle Friends’ radiates pure indie poptimism. It’s for the fans who’ve been there since the start, whilst also putting themselves firmly on the radar for new listeners.
Emily McIntyre
Image: Daniel Alexander Harris
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