REVIEW: Friends 'Manifest!'

FRIENDS have seriously been doing all the right things in the lead up to the release of their debut album. They've released a couple of incredibly catchy pop tracks, which have gone onto be picked up by a ridiculous number of music blogs as well as a high rotation on Triple J.And if you know anything about anything, that equals success. On top of this, they've also managed to get themselves on massive festival bills across the globe, including our own Splendour In The Grass. No longer is the name, Friends, exclusive to that television show you pretend you don't love.

Although they did all the necessary work for success, the issue I had with their light and fluffy style of indie-pop was whether or not it would survive a 12 track full length. And now that we have our hands on Manifest! - it was the exact release that resolved this issue for me.

The album itself begins with their 2nd single, 'Friend Crush', which has sadly become a little dull and boring after it was destroyed by Triple J, but then  quickly whips itself up into their world of incredibly infectious and cruisy pop. Each track takes the African and tribal percussion influence and is then flooded with warm synth chords and soothing vocals from Samantha Urbani before being pushed out under some funky bass lines. And although at times this becomes dry, there are a number of standout tracks that take this format and drive it somewhere completely new. It is these tracks that make the album - rather than the singles that they've wanted us to hear.

'A Thing Like This' seems to channel the funk driven pop of 80's, before deconstructing and rebuilding it into a atmospheric and melancholic groove track. Whilst 'Ruins' is a much deeper and punk styled listen, almost seemingly stealing everything about New Young Pony Club circa 2006. And of course, 'I'm His Girl' is the track that stole our minds when these guys first hit the scene and the fact that it is still such a highlight, truly proves its worth as a well incredible song.

Overall, Friends will never be the most influential or ground breaking act, but for a debut effort, Manifest! covers a wide range of genres in quirky and original way. And in a music culture where everything sounds like everything else, originality is a must.

We recently featured their latest single, 'Home', have a listen HERE.

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WIN WIN WIN

We have 5 copies of Friend's debut album, Manifest! to give away for our Melbourne readers. If you're interested, all you have to do is answer the following question in the comments section below: What is your favourite debut album?

Winners will be contacted via email and the CD's can be picked up from CANT SAY.

Words: Tom Hutchins.