From the first moments of ‘nothingforme’ I was faced with exuding warmth from what sounded like an exquisite mix. I felt compelled to pay attention, I did, and I had an epiphanic musical experience that effortlessly blended folk with electronica, with rock, with ambience and psychedelia. I emerged changed.
‘nothingforme’ is a song by folktronica, Chicago-based outfit Friend of a Friend, composed of Claire Molek and Jason Savsani, off their sophomore record FACILITIES. The duo certainly possess a unique sound, instantly standing out but never standoffish. The caliber of their sonic quality blends in enough with genre leaders for them to never be taken as newcomers on their way to discovering their best selves. Indeed, on ‘nothingforme’ the band sounds completely and wholly comfortable with the production techniques, the song structure, and the instrumental choices they strike throughout this vibrant, shape-shifting, and mystifying release.
A rhythmic start with a minimal guitar-vocal duet that soon features a subtle rhythmic disintegration, baked right into the composition. The guitar shape is whimsical and curious, closely mirroring the floating vocal melody and the inquisitive words, with the performances tight and confident. After two short, conversational verses, the song wholly erupts into an ethereal middle eight that is effortlessly haunting. Modal, veering off the conventional tonality of the major scale for the drama injected by the neighboring Dorian mode, along with the onset of a driving bass riff and the upheaval of the tight beat for something more immediate and dynamic, all beneath massive walls of synths.
The song then ends with a stellar display of ambiance that’s highlighted by a melancholic melody on top of sparse acoustic arpeggios that repeat until the end. ‘nothingforme’ is a creative marvel that is a display of a duo with pristine musical chemistry that just oozes over every single musical nuance the duo decides on. An exquisite trip of a song, mixed by Jordan Lawlor of M83 fame, left me greatly excited for all Friend of a Friend have to offer next.