Review Summary: I'll Save You From Myself
The sophomore record from Illinois based pop-punk rockers Real Friends offers more of the same emotionally fueled, sad-boi anthems that they’ve become known for with their early EP’s and debut record. A band known for their boney knees and severe depression, Real Friends harness those personality traits into a pretty solid record filled with energetic bops, solid punk riffs and the occasional softer, vulnerable track just for the extra dramatics. Even if the record feels a bit one note at times, I often feel myself humming along to the melodies and nodding my head to the rhythms. The simplistic structures and straight-forward approach to songwriting offer Real Friends in the best light because, as a band, they certainly know how to pull on the heartstrings and relate to their depressed fanbase whilst also injecting earworms and energy into short sub-three-minute ragers.
Dan Lambton, the vocalist for Real Friends, has a very honest demeanor and pours his heart into the words he sings. He will often reference lyrical passages from older songs and re-structure verses to reminisce old ideas from other Real Friends songs. I very much appreciate his approach and the energy he puts into the stories he tells and even now, in 2023, I miss that side of Real Friends from when he was still a part of the group. His vocal delivery is very harsh and unrefined but perfectly matched the emotions he was wailing about.
While ‘The Home Inside My Head’ is inherently a sad record, there are flashes of hope and positivity like the hit track “Mess.”
“Last year, I was a train wreck,
Now I'm just a mess,
I'm letting go so I don't lose myself,
I'm starting to be where I need to be.”
It’s not Nobel laureate levels of poetry but it’s simple enough to be relatable and meaningful to the right crowd of listeners. And that’s the draw of band like Real Friends; feeling understood and like someone else has been to the same dark places that you have. In 2016, I was that person who was going through a tough time. I was in a failing relationship, I felt stuck at the job I was in, I lived in a ***ty apartment in a *** part of town. I was miserable and I hadn’t accepted that I needed therapy or medicine to help me, so I used music as my crutch and overly emotional bands like Real Friends or Neck Deep or Story So Far were essential in helping me cope with my life circumstances. Looking back at this record, it’s not quite as powerful to me now that I feel pretty good, and life is treating me alright, but I still feel an emotional connection and sort of graciousness that it was there for me when I needed it.
Overall, this record has some really catchy tunes, some big hooks and solid instrumental passages. Is it the best record ever? No. Does it break any new ground? No. Is it a fun listen that achieves a certain level of nostalgia for those like me who are now past their emo phase? Yes, yes it does.
Highlights:
“Mess”
“Empty Picture Frames”
“Colder Quicker”
“Door Without a Key”
“Mokena”
