Indie pop foursome Fickle Friends emerged from the Brighton music scene in the mid-2010s with an undeniably impressive work ethic. In a bid to land a record deal, the group played 53 festivals in two years before being signed by Polydor Records, who recorded the band’s debut album, 2018’s You Are Someone Else, in Los Angeles with Brit Award-winning producer Mike Crossey. It reached number nine in the UK Album’s Chart and received some excellent reviews.

Comprised of Natassja Shiner (vocals and keyboards), Jack Wilson (backing vocals, keyboards, samples and programming), Jack ‘Harry’ Herrington (bass guitar and backing vocals) and Sam Morris (drums and percussion) Fickle Friends are now releasing a follow-up. Their new EP, Weird Years (Season 1), is due out on 15 January 2021 through Cooking Vinyl.

Shiner says of the upcoming release: “This EP is the weird story of the last three years of our lives. It covers everything from waking up and feeling horrendous, to being stuck in lockdown and feeling anxious, to being heartbroken. There’s a lot in there that I think people will relate to.

“What A Time is an anthem for escapism. With everything that has happened over the last six months, everyone has needed a little time away from the outside world. It’s felt like the world is going to shit, but you need to take some time out for yourself. Shut your bedroom door, turn your music up and dance around the room.”

And as the lead single from that release, that’s exactly what What A Time will compel you to do. It’s a rousing electro-indie number with a soaring chorus interspersed with mellow breakdowns and a thumping beat. Shiner’s voice is, as with all Fickle Friend’s back catalogue, astonishingly powerful and soulful, and the production is as slick as it gets. It’s a perfect late summer anthem and a wonderful feel-good track for these difficult times.

Watch the official video for What A Time here.

Pre-order Weird Years (Season 1) through the official Fickle Friends website.

Weird Years (Season 1) tracklist:

1. What A Time

2. 92

3. Million

4. IRL

5. Finish Line

 indie-pop 

Author: Joe Sharratt

Joe Sharratt is a writer and journalist based in the UK covering music, literature, sport, and travel.