Make Friends have released their new EP ‘Loaded Fun’.
Speaking of their new EP, the band said: “These past two years have really been about exploring and experimenting with our writing and production. We’ve been writing a ton, and along the way, we’ve noticed our sound evolving into something we’re really excited about. We wanted the new material to feel fresh to us while still capturing the spirit and energy of our influences. Having the chance to work with Ed has been a big part of that. From a writing and production point of view, it’s been really enjoyable and fruitful for how we’ve developed. ‘Loaded Fun’ is a culmination of that time spent.”
To celebrate their EP release, Make Friends shared with us 5 tracks that influenced ‘Loaded Fun’.
Bloc Party – Helicopter
The duelling guitar riffs and punchy drums of this track have influenced us in a way that’s probably embedded into our collective sub-conscious’. The immediacy and energy of ‘Helicopter’ is like a lightning strike, something we hope to have emulated in ‘Loaded Fun’ and ‘I Lose, You Lose’ from the EP.
Jadu Heart – Burning Hour
On the other end of the scale, there’s ‘Burning Hour’, which is this brooding and delicate, yet pulsing song. It reaches this subtle climax of swirling synths and haze – more an introspective, gut-churning build than something more stereotypically anthemic. Our track ‘Maybe Tomorrow’ follows a similar path I feel – the kind of resolution that isn’t requisite, but is all the sweeter for it.
Bombay Bicycle Club – Get Up
Bombay Bicycle Club have been a mammoth influence on us, so to work with Ed Nash was a real dream come true. We’ve been conscious to not let that inspiration bleed too much into our own writing, but it’s inevitable that strokes of their writing shape our sound. Despite us being a guitar-based band, I was enamoured with the use of brass in indie music to elevate the sonic space all throughout the ‘Antidotes’ album by Foals, and then Bombay’s more innovative, sample-based tunes in their later work. ‘Get Up’ is such a direct opening to their fifth album, and I was immediately hooked by the staggering, zig-zagging horns, and wanted to create a similar texture in Falter, as well the slow and steady build for Groans to erupt.
The Police – Message In a Bottle
The iconic role of Sting as frontman and bassist has us being (very flatteringly) compared to The Police from time to time, and the ability to play bouncy, syncopated bass lines and sing simultaneously still astounds me. ‘Message in a Bottle’ takes the cake for us because of that unreal opening riff from Andy Summers that seizes you from the off.
Warpaint – Proof
Warpaint never seem to miss, and each album somehow seems to improve upon the previous. It’s hard to single out any one song, as their records are brimful of bangers, but Proof is one that’d undoubtedly make the cut. Those reverb heavy, chorus-dripped piano chords in the outro give the track so much character in an almost haunting manner, and tie the tune together so neatly. The groups swirling harmonies are also world-class, which had a big impact on why we asked our dear friend Maisie Humphries to feature on the Loaded Fun EP. She effortlessly brought so much depth and warmth to the table with her voice, and our tracks feel so much more complete with her input.
Listen to Make Friends EP influences:
Stream Make Friends ‘Loaded Fun’ via Spotify below: