{"product_id":"skepwax041lp","title":"Special Friend - Clipping LP","description":"\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRELEASES ON THE 20\/3\/26\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpecial Friend have become the masters of weaving elegant and sophisticated pop musical webs while staying true to their low-fi indiepop roots. The French\/American duo (Guillaume on guitar and vocals, Erica on drums and vocals) manage to create a sound like no other band.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen they play live, audiences marvel at the huge, intricate structures the band construct, while falling in love with the crystal-clear vocal melodies that are threaded in between the shards of guitar and the rattle of the drums. How can a duo achieve so much? UK audiences will be able to ponder this question in March: Special Friend are coming over from France to do a substantial tour of the UK. These shows are highly recommended!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe new album is more diverse that the last, with the high-tempo indiepop of first single \u003cem\u003eBreakfast\u003c\/em\u003e, the majestic, Yo La Tengo-like dreampop of \u003cem\u003eClipping\u003c\/em\u003e and the country-ish, gentle, homesick melancholy of \u003cem\u003eIsolation\u003c\/em\u003e. Final track \u003cem\u003eOOO\u003c\/em\u003e is a bold piece of Krautrock-inspired experimentation; \u003cem\u003eMold\u003c\/em\u003e is a beautiful slice of slowcore and opener \u003cem\u003ePaint A Picture\u003c\/em\u003e is modern pop at its catchiest and most direct.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Clipping\", the album title, refers to the discipline of pruning growth back, removing dead wood to create a perfectly shaped tree with abundant blossoms: an accurate description of the album, and of the songs that hang from its elegant branches. The album artwork is by Erica: Special Friend are in control of every aspect of this elegant artefact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Clipping\" was recorded in 2025 at Studio Claudio by Alexis Fugain and Margaux Bouchaudon. Set in an isolated rural environment conducive to immersion, the band had seven days in the studio—significantly more than for previous records—allowing for greater care in the recording process, particularly for vocals and arrangements. Several tracks feature synthesizers and organs, acoustic guitar and even an electric bass on \u003cem\u003eSanctuary\u003c\/em\u003e, a first for Special Friend. The album was mixed by Syd Kemp, who has worked with artists such as Thurston Moore, Ulrika Spacek, Caroline, Crack Cloud and Vanishing Twin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall, the record benefits from a more developed and detailed production while preserving the band’s direct approach and spontaneity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout this product: \u003c\/strong\u003ethis release is pressed on black vinyl.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tangled Parrot","offers":[{"title":"Black Vinyl LP \/ Mint \/ Mint","offer_id":50575299838199,"sku":"SKEPWAX041LP","price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0018\/7881\/8916\/files\/image_727739ff-aaff-4826-9976-95b0fbf624e9.jpg?v=1773422896","url":"https:\/\/tangledparrot.com\/products\/skepwax041lp","provider":"Tangled Parrot","version":"1.0","type":"link"}