Special Friend

French/American duo Special Friend create a sound somewhere between contemplative slowcore and stripped-down indie pop, that takes cues from the noisily melodic charm of indie fixtures like Butterglory and Yo La Tengo while adding a healthy dose of heavy fuzz guitar to the mix. Their 2021 debut full-length Ennemi Commun laid out their template of sweet songs spiced with noise and drama, then they decided to focus on the more melancholy nature of their approach with 2023's Wait Until the Flames Come Rushing In. They added a wider instrumental toolkit and more sonic exploration on 2026's Clipping.