Drawing us in with a rising piano-synth arpeggio and atmospheric vocals, Adrian Sood opens My Junky Friend with the lyrics, “As we party hard, she says those words that finally break me, we’ve been doing drugs all night…”
We learn that the vocals are performed by Robyn, as she shares existential, ethereal and situational prose about seeking solace in being high. The hook, “I don’t need a love, I just need my junky friend…” really resonates, and is a poignant exemplification of the lived experience of many people living a life of hedonism and escapism. Various drugs are mentioned during the song, including ketamine, THC, ecstasy, and amphetamines.
Fans of Sufjan Stevens would be able to connect with the soundscape which remains stripped-back, only ever adding a harmonic layer towards the end of the song, which feels like a sonic metaphor for getting high. Adrian also cites Radiohead and The Stone Roses as sonic influences, which we can feel manifest.
The layered vocals are sublime, accompanied solely by the minimalist synth performance, tapping into a high emotional quotient. We could imagine this being featured in a poignant scene with Rue in Euphoria on HBO – particularly in connection with the chemical themes of the track.
Speaking on the message of the song, Dublin-based artist Adrian Sood confesses, “The song is about coming down after a party and needing love.” He adds, “My Junky Friend is about the space between addiction and intimacy — when someone feels more like a temporary escape than a real connection. Written from the perspective of two people chasing highs while avoiding what they actually feel. If you’ve ever fallen in love at 4am while the party was dying, this song is for you.”
Needless to say, we are in awe, and have added the cinematic opus to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream the wider discography of Adrian Sood, including Breathing and Pyramid.