Indie Pop Rock from Fierce Friend

Brighton-based artist Fierce Friend is the solo project of songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Alan Grice, a creative figure who’s spent years making an impression in the indie and art pop world. Collaboration, experimentation and a constant desire to take songs somewhere unexpected are the pillars of his musical world, combining bright melodies with adventurous arrangements to create music that feels approachable while revealing new details with every listen.

Before establishing Fierce Friend as a solo project, Alan’s musical background was already intrinsically linked to the alternative scene. His experience across previous projects including Electric Soft Parade, Foxes! and Octopuses helped form the background for a sound that now feels entirely his own. Fierce Friend uses those influences as a starting point, building tracks that balance traditional songwriting with a desire to disrupt their own structure.

The project first came into full focus with the release of debut album Lies That Comfort You in 2018, which earned attention including support from BBC Radio 6 Music, with Stuart Maconie describing it as “a great sophistipop record.” While that recognition helped introduce Fierce Friend to a wider audience, the project has always been driven by a more personal creative curiosity. Since then, the sound has continued to shift and the latest material moves away from the more traditional live-band atmosphere of earlier work and embraces a more electronic edge.

Machine-driven rhythms, spiralling synth lines, distorted guitars and direct vocal performances now ripple throughout Fierce Friend’s sound, reflecting the tension and overstimulation of the modern world. That development is clear on the latest single titled “Put You Right,” the second release from the forthcoming album Blood Red Hills & The Uncanny Valley.

Wrapped up in a pop-focused indie rock setting, the track blends driving guitars, bright synth textures and a distinctly dry sense of humour that captures the friction of modern communication. “Put You Right” is a song about arguments, certainty and the moments when conversations break down, framing the emotional atmosphere of a world where everyone seems determined to speak and few people seem willing to listen. The soft plucks of guitar and sweep of spacey synth tones bring in the track while the mellow punch of drums and playful synth lines dip down as Alan’s smooth vocals float in to stitch airy melodies into the laid back groove.

Rising to an energising chorus where stabby guitar chords, energising drums and fluttering vocal leads deliver an infectious musical moment. Cut with slick guitar riffs which inject a rock edge, the buoyant tone of the vocals and upbeat flickers of synth maintain a pop vibe, resulting in a spectacular showcase of Fierce Friend’s catchy songwriting and wide appeal. Developing with the hurried rustle of drums and instrumental flourishes, the track nods to Alan’s penchant for alternative arrangements before rolling into the final chorus to leave a lasting impression of the song.

With Blood Red Hills & The Uncanny Valley, Fierce Friend is set to open a new chapter that expands the ideas introduced across previous releases. The upcoming album continues the shift towards a sharper, more electronic sound and with “Put You Right,” he offers an exciting taste of what’s on the way. As he continues to shine on his Fierce Friend endeavour, he’s sure to win over more and more fans on his compelling musical adventure.

Listen to Put You Right below

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