Clipping. Special Friend

Indie rock of good to best quality can come from anywhere in the world today. The exclusivity of the U.S.A. and the U.K. has long been cracked by bands from other countries. A prove of point is Special Friend's third album, and first on this blog, 'Clipping'.

Special Friend plays that kind of sparkling indie rock that gives the songs a pop feel like a glass bubbling over when pouring Coke or beer in too fast. Right at the very start 'Paints A Picture' shows it with that bubbly guitar part that works its way throughout most of the song. Add the voices of Guillaume and Erica, who weave in and out of each other and despite the song holding a little melancholy streak, the sun starts shining instantly. (And it is in abundance while writing.)

Special Friend is an French-American duo from Paris, consisting of Erica Ashleson (drums, vocals) and Guillaume Siracusa (guitar, vocals). They alternate lead vocals, but also weave their vocals regularly, with different lyrics at that. They formed Special Friend in 2018 and with Clipping release their third album. Clipping was recorded at Studio Claudio by Alexis Fugain and Margaux Bouchaudon. Between them they decided to expand on the duo setting, making it impossible to play live what you hear on record, but all the more interesting. Just listen to the experimental 'Mustard' for example. 

Photo: Jules Vandales

The whole is an enrichment of the duo setting though. An overdubbed guitar, a synth or organ, all make the sound of the band fuller and essential. More so, because the songs of Special Friend are well above the average. They got to me during the first listening session and from there grew a little more each time. Whether more up tempo or slower like in 'Mold', where Erica Ashleson harmonises with herself, the duo always finds an angle that makes the song interesting to listen to, multiple times.

What I like especially, is how the mood of Clipping, which in general can be called light, can be changed with just a little growl of an extra guitar or just a few extra notes added to the song. With a minimum of effort, a song comes alive even more. You can find a few examples all through the album. Add a detail like this to all that already makes Clipping stand out and the band convinced me I'm listening to something special.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght

 

You can listen to and order Clipping here:

https://specialfriend.bandcamp.com/album/clipping