Artist: Real Friends
Album: Acoustic Songs EP
Genre: Pop-Punk/Acoustic
Label: Unsigned

Acoustic pop punk releases can be sketchy. There is a large chance of being cliché, annoying, and sounding absurdly whiney. It’s just how it goes, some bands should simply not do acoustic releases. Real Friends is not one of those bands. Hailing from Chicago, Illinois, pop-punk group Real Friends’ EP Everyone That Dragged You Here is a UTG staff favorite. With summer coming up, there is no doubt in our minds that it will continue to be on heavy rotation. But what are you to do when it’s late at night, and you want a relaxing drive home? Well it’s simple, throw on the new Real Friends Acoustic Songs EP.

Acoustic Songs opens with a new song entitled “I’ve Never Been Home,” and since it’s the only song I wasn’t familiar with before the release, this is the only song I’ll break down in regards to lyrics. The other three tracks appeared on Everyone That Dragged You Here, so those will be discussed only in terms of how they translated into acoustic songs. But back to the new track, “Home” speaks to the singers’ feeling of disconnect from his home, and while this concept is not new in pop-punk, it’s still a relatable experience that doesn’t sound rehashed at all. It’s compelling, filled with great guitar work and clean vocals, and serves as the perfect tipping point to an EP that is sure to quickly become the soundtrack to many late night road trips.

Real Friends are a relatively new band, but you wouldn’t realize it after listening to Acoustic Songs EP. This band is catchy, has a lot of heart, and it’ll be interesting to see where this band goes from here. Real Friends are touring a lot this summer, hitting the East Coast and beyond, so even greater exposure is imminent. If you’re smart and love pop punk, jump on the Real Friends bandwagon before they start playing larger venues. You’ll feel cooler than your real friends. End Pun.

SCORE: 7/10
Written By: Tyler Osborne (Follow him to see him talk trash about bad pop-punk bands)

*Thursday July 19th- Euro Gyro – Kent, OH

*Friday July 20th- Water Street Music Hall – Rochester, NY

*Saturday July 21st – J. Watt’s – Scotia, NY

*Sunday July 22nd – All Asia – Cambridge, MA

*Monday July 23rd – Fall River VFW – Fall River, MA

*Tuesday July 24th – HOUSE SHOW! – Groton, CT

*Wednesday July 25th – Dock Street – Staten Island, NY

*Thursday July 26th – O’ Reillys Pub – Philadelphia, PA

*Friday July 27th – Venue TBA! Help us book this date! – Baltimore, MD

*Saturday July 28th – Washington Common Ground Teen Center – Washington, PA

*Sunday July 29th – HOUSE SHOW! – Cincinnati OH

*Monday July 30th – The Active Room – Wyandotte, MI

*Tuesday July 31st – DAAC – Grand Rapids, MI

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Tyler Osborne

Live in DC, grew up in PA. I specialize in writing, filming and taking pictures about punk, pop-punk, and hardcore music, and I also have a huge background in film as well. When not on the site, i'm running my own internet radio show, ToZ's Edge Radio (www.facebook.com/tozedgeradio). I also love stage diving and goldfish.

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