A cheery, road-worthy summer track with enough warmth to round out the winter.
Background
Alaska is home to 1/50th of the total population of California. Astonishing, then, how “Friend”‘s creators Lavoy were happened-upon amidst a live show in their home state.
Perhaps equally fascinating is that it was Tony Hoffer that discovered them—the 6x Grammy nominated producer with a résumé including Depeche Mode, M83, Fitz And The Tantrums, Phoenix, and more.
Inspiration
“Friend” is further evidence of layers of modern alt-pop blended with a hint of 80s nostalgia. Lavoy even considers themselves “Alternative’s answer to Ellie Goulding.” Having shared the stage with the likes of Cold War Kids, Andy Grammer, and Grouplove, this 5-piece is soaring past their Alaskan roots.
Verdict
A respected collective of alt-pop visionaries, Lavoy courts a dreamy, echo-filled sprint within “Friend”. It truly does remind me of summer, especially in the higher synth reaches, bringing a ‘now-that-you-mention-it’ 80s influence along with it. Lighter, positive sentiments flow through the song, making for a fitting afternoon track. Enjoyable, smart, and blissful—not a ton more left to want. 3.5/5.
Support
You can find Lavoy on iTunes, Spotify, and Bandcamp, where they’ve got a fair selection to dig through.
