In mid-March, Liverpool’s Friend Within shared his new LP Hope. Released via Toolroom Records, Hope is stuffed with stuffed with feel-good house anthems designed to help shake away the 2020 malaise. The album is produced with several live instrumentation elements which, when partnered with Friend Within’s undeniable drum machine grooves, give Hope a natural and immediately-enjoyable feel. The record’s unique sound can be best exemplified by lead single “Know Each Other” featuring A-Trak, a summery track constructed with shimmering sounds and an underlying optimistic outlook. Another hallmark of Hope is the seamless transitions that give the record a live DJ set feel. All in all, Hope is a shining monument to house, summertime, and a deep hope that we can all move toward better days. Dancing Astronaut caught up with Friend Within to chat about the inspirations behind his new record, working with A-Trak, and the impact the last year of lockdown has had on the dance music scene. Listen to Hope and read the full Q&A below. Throughout Hope, you clearly draw influence from classic house sounds while putting your own fresh spin on the genre. How do you find the balance between using old school house elements without sounding overdone? After a year that had many people feeling down constantly, you named your album Hope. Do you have any tips for staying optimistic? What do you hope people take away from your new record? What was it like working with A-Trak on “Know Each Other?”How do you think dance music has changed over the last year of lockdown? It looks like festivals are coming back soon! Where are you most excited to perform your new material when shows come back? Featured image: Friend Within/FacebookTags: Friend Within, Hope, house, Q&A, Toolroom Records
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