Real Friends - Three Songs About The Past Year Of My Life EP
Record Label: Self Released
Release Date: November 13, 2012
Real Friends is a name that we’ve been hearing a lot about recently. The Chicago five-piece have been making waves in the scene in recent months and there is certainly reason for this. Their debut EP, Everyone That Dragged You Here was full of promise and potential, and its follow up, Acoustic Songs was little more than a stopgap between releases, however, Three Songs About The Past Year Of My Life is Real Friends’ chance to make good on their promise.
Make good they do. Three Songs... is the perfect pop punk EP. It’s made up of three honest, catchy tracks that will bounce out of the traps and into the hearts of the pop punk fans of the world. “Dirty Water” is an organic feeling catchy opener with a fresh, but tired air to it. The lyrics, whilst somewhat simplistic, have a relatability to them that is irrepressible and incredibly likable. They also have an honesty to them that sets Real Friends apart from others. Lyrics such as “I said I'm selfish, I'm a liar and I'm broken/ Shit runs through my head everyday that I would never tell anyone” have a self deprecating quality to them that gives the band a particular personality. “Hebron” has a youthful naivete to it which is utterly irresistible, Slow and winding, the track is driven by unprotected vocals, sparse instrumentation, and highly conversational lyrics. Closer “Alexander Supertramp” is the shortest track of the release and is a fist pump inspiring bounce.
The only issue with this EP is that it lasts just over six minutes. Although they’ve given us so little to work with, Real Friends have already given us the hints of an excellent band to come. Within a few tracks, they’ve turned into a band that could be just as well known or as popular as bands as loved as The Wonder Years. However, unless they release something more substantial soon, they might not be able to make us of the hype that already around them. Cannot wait for a full length.
This was the first thing I'd heard from Real Friends and I feel that it's the perfect introduction to their music. Plus, ya know, it's up for a free (or name-your-price) download on their bandcamp, and that's always nice:
Definitely see these guys going in the direction of TWY. Alexander Supertramp specifically - sounds so much like TWY to me. Can't wait to hear more from these guys.
A lot of my friends have seen them at local shows and are REALLY into them. Them and Knucklepuck are getting big, and both I feel could become staples in the scene (POZ had a feature on Knucklepuck and a stream of their EP, it's pretty good).
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