‘Future Friends — Part One’ shone a light on Superfruit being a legitimate group apart from Pentaonix. This was highlighted even more with the full release of its album, putting the duo on the pop star map.
By Nicolas Jozefczyk | Staff Writer
09/20/17
Looking for a musical blast from the past with a new and lively pop twist? A hint of a discotheque, a pop of color from the ’80’s and a dash of Grease? Future Friends, the newest album from Superfruit, offers all three, and much more.
Superfruit is a group comprised of two men, Scott Hoying and Mitch Grassi. Depending on your musical tastes, those two names may already sound familiar, as they are two-fifths of the group Pentatonix. Though they are still members of the group, Hoying and Grassi created this album as a passion project.
On June 30, listeners got a first taste of what Future Friends encompassed with the release of Future Friends — Part One. This relatively longer version of an extended play came with seven tracks. All of the songs keep an up-tempo pop beat but lyrically morph from crushes to love to even toxic relationships. As an added treat to people who appreciate the album, each song was accompanied by a music video.
“Worth It (Perfect)” and “Future Friends,” both on Part One, break stereotypes and visually back vocals respectively with their music videos. “Worth It (Perfect)” showcases two dancing kids, which in itself may seem relatively boring but challenges gender stereotyping in regards to “male” and “female” roles, all while seamlessly flowing to the melodic background. “Future Friends” focuses on a boxing match that replicates the internal battle and struggles in a friendship that is on the rocks.
Honestly, I would have been satisfied with just the tracks on Part One, being that it was just a passion project, but with the release of Future Friends on Sept. 15, my excitement alighted again. With nine other songs, this second half brings the total tracklist to a whopping total of 16 numbers for a playtime close to an hour. Being excited for the mere seven was just a glimpse of the new excitement that came with all 16, even though it was necessary to relisten to the first couple tracks to get the full experience.
The new numbers keep the same upbeat tempo as discussed before, yet all the songs manage to sound different from one another. That being said, there is shared instrumentation between some tracks, but this sharing does not hinder the individual songs, nor does it really detract from the tunes’ individualities.
The one thing I find the most enjoyable about Future Friends is that no matter the subject, each song falls in the pop genre that inherently makes it impossible to not dance or not mouth the words along to each track.
Take “Goodbye From Lonely” for example. Lyrically, it is an expression of losing love in a relationship, the fading of the initial spark. However, using guitar, percussion and a hint of piano, the piece makes it easy to sway along to, as if inspired by the way Carly Rae Jepsen writes her heartbreak hits.
Another track on the album, “GUY.exe,” also sounds inspired by another pop artist. The track starts with an upfront piano that turns into a swinging bass line with a percussion set. However, “GUY.exe” finds its inspiration in how the verses are arranged. There are vocals that almost sound muted and a break in which melodic speaking takes over singing. All in all, it sounds like this track could fit perfectly on Lady Gaga’s ARTPOP.
The last two songs on the album, “Everything” and “Future Friends — Brian Robert Jones Choir Remix,” are bonus tracks that can only be obtained with the purchase of the full Future Friends album. These tracks give off a more laid-back and subtle vibe, but are still dance worthy. Honestly, “Everything” does not feel like a bonus track, but the “Future Friends Remix” adds a pseudo gospel feeling that is not present in the original.
Altogether, Future Friends is a spectacular album. You cannot help but to dance to each song, and they are very easy to get stuck in your head. I have been listening to the first seven tracks since June 30, and I am still not tired of them, which to me is quite impressive. If you are a fan of pop music, or are interested in 55 minutes of pure upbeat dance-along music, this album is definitely for you. Please, do yourself a favor, buy Future Friends and treat yourself to a dance party.
