On March 20th, Franco-American duo Special Friend released their third album Clipping, and I can assure you it’s a record worth checking out.
Special Friend was formed in 2018 in Paris by Erica Ashleson and Guillaume Siracusa, who took a very DIY approach to songwriting and producing. Their first album, Ennemi Commun was released in 2021 and was very well-received by both the French and international press, which led them to participate in multiple festivals. Their second album was released in 2023, featuring other elements such as violins, synthesizers, and an overall fuller sound.
Now in 2026, Special Friend decided to take things up a notch. For the production process, the duo decided to record the songs in an immersive way, spending seven days in a studio in a secluded countryside setting, with plenty of time to refine vocals and arrangements. The mixing was done in London by Syd Kemp, a collaboration that happened solely over remote video-calls. From what I understand, their goal with Clipping was to bring their work to a new level, with much more refined production and arrangements, though still preserving their essence. After listening to it more times than I can count, it feels safe to say that it sounds like the perfect blend between higher quality and a more refined sound while still keeping that independent DIY vibe.
The album has a concise identity in every aspect, since a lot of the visual components were also tied to the message of the lyrics. The artwork immediately caught my eye, and knowing Erica — the drummer and also vocalist of the band — was the one to design it makes it even better. With symbols representing life, death, chance, evolution and childish innocence, all of it is deliberate. Even the name of the album (and of the title song) ties back into the record’s theme: The idea of the clipping of a tree, removing what is harmful in order for it to heal and grow properly.
The record shows multiple dimensions of the band’s sound, featuring both calm and energetic tracks, as well as playful sounds next to sadder ones. With an indie vibe that is more often than not lighthearted and motivating, Clipping is a great addition to the indie music scene.
The first track, “Paints A Picture”, sets the tone for a distinct indie sound that makes use of the best of their voices. Though the song sounds light, the lyrics are a blatant criticism to the all-repeating violence and chaos in the world, as it quite literally paints a picture for the destruction of a protest in Paris (though it applies to many other corners of the world). When it comes to the sound, the opening riff immediately reminded me of Bloc Party, and I love the overlapping vocals of Erica and Guillaume.
The title song “Clipping” feels like summer. With sweet vocals that complement each other and incredibly melodious guitars, it pulls you into a state of bliss. I would consider this the strongest track in the album, so the choice to name the album after it just feels right. Once again they play to their strengths by pairing Guillaume’s assertive lead vocals with Erica’s soft dreamy harmonies and adlibs. A catchy guitar loop carries the track, leaving perfect space for the more powerful guitar riffs later on. The song’s theme is the passage of time, including anticipation for the future and the reminiscing of the past.
“Isolation” has folk and country influences, and it finds a balance between a nostalgic, melancholic mood and a light, optimistic one. The lyrics speak about what it means to be alone, and it refers to isolation and loneliness as an old friend rather than a lack. The first couple of verses refer to that solitude as something that brings them down, but later shifts to the perspective that it is something that can calm them down and bring them serenity instead. Erica’s voice leads this time, with Guillaume providing soft harmonies to accompany them. It has a fairly simple structure, with a calm guitar rhythm and drums, making the guitar solo near the end a standout, though it’s still soft enough to blend in with the peaceful energy of the song.
“Theoretical” is an upbeat high-energy track about overthinking and the fascinating instinct of the human brain to always theorize about what could happen. Special Friend’s lyrics are great when it comes to painting a picture for the listener to easily visualize specific scenarios. Erica and Guillaume’s voices compliment each other as well as in the other tracks, with a perfect balance of call and response, and the chorus is incredibly catchy and sounds like it belongs on an indie movie from the 2010s.
“Breakfast” is one of the funnest (and, in my opinion, most relatable) songs on the album. Erica leads again, and immerses the listener into the daily struggles of ADHD, between the attention span issues, forgetfulness and losing things. Though sounding playful, the call and response here feels like it represents the chaos and racing thoughts of the condition — something that, outside the song, is not fun at all.
“Mold” is sweet and melancholic, and features great harmonies and soulful chords. One of their more melancholic tracks, the lyrics touch on negative patterns, negative moods and things and people out of reach. Erica’s harmonies make the song, and one of the best parts is the overlapping lyrics of “something that’s running out (something beautiful lately)”. It transitions seamlessly between energy levels, and it’s definitely one of my favorite songs on the album.
“Nothing” is gloomy yet catchy, with lyrics focusing on fading happiness and the feeling of defeat. It features a beautiful guitar solo and magical synth sounds. I love the intense drum patterns paired with the heavy guitar solo in the final part of the song, which progresses into something increasingly more distorted until the last second.
“Unwound” has more abstract lyrics and goes back to a more classic 90s rock sound. With Guillaume in the lead, steady drums and rhythmic guitars, the track has a distinct sound. One of my favorite aspects of it is the wobbly solo that sounds pretty different from the other songs, which I thought was a unique and fantastic choice.
“Mustard”, like its name, is purposefully random and absurdist, carrying out the lyrics’ theme of speaking without thinking and saying things that don’t make sense. I love the mix of a more classic rock sound like the heavily distorted guitars with more technological record-scratching and computer sounds. The standout is definitely the instrument-focused section after the chorus, with the addition of multiple sounds that add to that concept of chaos and ‘nonsense’.
“Village” starts off with a calm drum pattern that initially feels like another one of their “regular” songs until the liminal spacey synths come in. It serves as a sort of an interlude and exudes video game soundtrack energy, immediately reminding me of Minecraft (which I suspect was an inspiration given the title of the song) and even Donkey Kong Country.
“Sanctuary” is calm and brings a late-night drive energy to the table. The solo in it is the softest they’ve done, and it almost sounds like a lullaby. This one was inspired by the 2019 film Midsommar, which accounts for the symbols referenced in the lyrics.
The final track, “OOO”, is in French. The repeating lyrics, “I remember your hand on my skin and its absence fading with time”, are about longing and reminiscing about the past. It starts off with a nostalgic sound straight away, reminding me of the youthful energy of coming of age movies like The Perks of Being a Wallflower. The song has a calmer vibe, and uses repetition in a way that, while still making it stick, doesn’t tire you out.
Overall, Clipping has a more ambitious and clearer sound than Special Friend’s past releases, and features a rich variety of genres and inspirations. Its essence still circles back to Special Friend’s older works, but it brings the duo’s sound to a new level. Bloc Party fans might appreciate their sound design and Guillaume’s vocals, while the mix of the duo’s voices together might please listeners of American band Wishy. Though each song is different, Special Friend has a signature sound that ties it all together, their essence clear in every song.
Watch the music video for the title track from Clipping below follow Special Friend on their socials below.
Written by Ella Lipp
