Working with refined and classical rock structures, rising U.K. artist Jon Sandman has released Dear Friends, inspired by the artist’s need to apologise for creating distance with his besties.
We love the skilful guitar work, the vibrance and build of the song, and the overall vibe and energy emanating from the artist. Sandman opens with the lyrics, “I’m learning the ropes, under a microscope, again“, and the track is full of introspection, such as, “need to adapt, I need to do it fast“, and the hook, “what will I do when my neglected friends disown me”.
The layered and textured vocals add dimensionality to the piece and there is a punch middle 8 with an electric energy.
Speaking on the writing of the track, Sandman says, “I became closed off from the outside world and neglected some of the most important people in my life – my friends, my family, my partner.”
But the song was actually written in 2017, coming full circle to the present day when the artist’s sentiments are even more cemented.
“This isn’t the first time I’ve felt this way. I actually wrote ‘Dear Friends’ back in 2017, when I started to grow apart from some of my closest friends from university, as we all went our separate ways. It was very lonely.”
Speaking further on the track, the artist who is also in the alt-rock band Pylon Heights and one half of indie-folk duo Jon & Abbie, says, “So, “Dear Friends”… I’m sorry I didn’t stay in touch. I’m often overwhelmed. This is a song about how much I miss everyone I’ve met along the way – those who have stuck around, just as much as those that have come and gone – and I wouldn’t be who I am today without every single one of you.”
Jon’s influences include bands such as Eels, Grizzly Bear, Spoon, Beirut, Doves and Elbow, and that really comes through in his work which you can stream below and on our New Music Spotlight playlist.
‘Dear Friends’ is the first single from Jon Sandman’s upcoming EP, ‘Spooky Action at a Distance’.