Aussie duo friendships first caught our attention with “draver” (a track that opened new doors into a convoluted sonic realm we truly hadn’t heard before), and now they lead us in a different and equally unique direction with “ghost hear”, the truly esoteric-sounding title track of a 100% independently funded project members Nic (music) and Mesha (visuals) have been chipping away artistically at for years. Now, the track is certainly different (as it's perhaps expected to be after myriad edits and influences working into it over the span of several months), and while we may not go so far as saying it's one the most off-the-wall we've ever heard, it certainly has crept its way near the peak of the list, with our complete captivation in tow as a result. As we mentioned in our write-up for their previous effort, Friendships' intriguingly abnormal work fares well for those who seek something off the beaten path, and it manages to resound well through our mind without any catchy hooks or undulating synths that we’re usually seduced by. No, the fresh, paranoid-sounding effort invokes a sense of confident sonic defiance right from the start with a sound bite of what seems to be men speaking in an indiscernible language before the sounds of the voices and chirping crickets are blanketed by taps of a drum that resemble those of an urban street drummer (you got all that?). We’re not too sure where the introductory slab was conceived from (other than, of course, from the brilliant minds of the members), but after a few listens, we notice it flows into the rest of the track with perfect unity. The peak of the effort reintroduces a heightened aura of normality that vaguely relates to the works of The Weeknd before the track flips the switch and abruptly ends, and what's left behind is nothing but a trailing vocal that echoes off into the distance. We can promise you that, though decidedly experimental, "Ghost Hear" will provide a truly distinct listen when compared to most other tracks you're listening to at the moment. And whether it proves to be your cup of tea or not, we can’t help but admire the way Friendships’ eccentric and wholly intoxicating sound has grabbed our own attention. It's something special, surely, and it's potential to build a large nest of support for Nic and Mesha moving forward. After exploring the purely sonic side of original, visit its accompanying visuals on Vimeo, and decide to delve into fresh interpretations of the track on SoundCloud.
friendships