Friendly Fires

Just tuned in, you're listening to Ctrl Z with me, Ren Yard.

Just played you Friendly Fires, Lack of Love.

Cover, of course, of, uh, Charles B.

And this one's by Shunt Voltage, called Humdrum.

I can't beat that.

I got to see Friendly Fires live, who, if they ever come to your town, I recommend go see them.

It's a good show.

Thanks.

There's some amount of crap coming out recently.

Friendly Fires are back.

They have a new single and it's absolutely, it's just tropical lindy poo.

Yeah, I was very disappointed.

I've a soft spot for Friendly Fires going back at their heyday.

And Lose All Your Friends is the name of the single and they've definitely lost us.

They never had me to begin with, but that is some absolutely terrible.

Yeah.

You've got Friendly Fires playing live.

What the fuck?

What the fuck, man?

Oh, sorry, [laughs] I'm just repeating the ones...

Did you hear Sebastian?

Yeah, Friendly Fires were there.

[laughs]

Absolutely.

It's a thrilling time for Friendly Fires and for all of us who appreciate their music.

I first discovered James Ellis Ford 20 years ago, back when he was one half of the colorful UK electronic duo, Simeon Mobile Disco.

In between all the raving, Ford began a burgeoning career as a producer, working with, among others, Depeche Mode, Friendly Fires, and Gorillaz.

His debut album as a solo artist, The Hum, was one of my faves of 2023, eschewing the bombast of his mobile disco days for more subtle passages that echo the styles of Brian Eno and Peter Gabriel.

James just released his second album.