London’s Saint Joshua spellbinds on his latest single “Fake Friends,” a soulful and searing seduction of deep grooves and heavy emotion.
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Stream: “Fake Friends” – Saint Joshua
One thing we all learn as we advance in our careers, no matter what we do, is who our true friends are. In any line of work, there are those who are sincerely looking out for you and have your best interests at heart, and those who want to use you to further their own endeavors, like a prop or a tool. The music industry has its gems and flowers, but it can be as cutthroat as they get: Some people will deceive, pretend, and do everything under the sun to get ahead, and others will leave you high and dry just when you need them them most.
This, of course, extends well beyond the music world to all reaches of our lives, and in Saint Joshua’s new single, he calls out those so-called friends, wherever they may be, for their two-faced, duplicitous ways. The rising London artist spellbinds on the smoldering “Fake Friends,” a soulful and searing seduction of deep grooves and heavy emotion.
Fake friends, they turn into fans
They all up in your business
and they disturbing your plans like
Fake friends, all over the gram
But they won’t like a picture
because they don’t wanna see you fly
Soar high, you’re high, no climbing
They don’t wanna see you
Soar high, you’re high, no climbing
Independently released October 15, 2021, “Fake Friends” is Saint Joshua’s first new single following July’s debut EP Pilot. An intimate and tranquilizing experience praised for its dreamy, soothing, and stirring architecture, Pilot remains a powerful, tantalizing introduction to Saint Joshua’s musical identity and artistry: The 26-year-old Londoner “envelops listeners in layers of radiant love,” Atwood wrote in a full-length feature upon the record’s release.
“Fake Friends” is another smoldering, fiery release from this undeniable up-and-comer. Fat beats and thick bass notes set the scene for an irresistibly heated song full of passion and soul. Saint Joshua’s emotional vocals take center stage as he sings a feverish warning – not only to those would-be “fake friends,” but also to all those who may fall victim to these manipulators of the spirit. He rises and falls in enchanting form as the scene builds to a cathartic release.
Prepare another hit
I’m smooth and I’m quick
I make em purse their upper lip
Success is a…
Fake friends they are a monolith
The devil never quits
But I got God on side
You do what you like
They act like kryptonite
But they ain’t got no bite
I’m telling you better believe what I’m telling you
“’Fake Friends’ is a song I wrote about people that pretend to be your friend but have ill intentions,” Saint Joshua tells Atwood Magazine. “We all have fake friends – you just have to realise who they are! I had so much fun recording this, we wanted it to sound gritty as if it were an old forgotten D’Angelo record.”
The artist goes on to explain how this song is the first release off his forthcoming sophomore EP – and that its sentiments cut deep. “At the time of creating the song, I had been thinking back on my first project,” he shares. “Whilst I was proud of my growth and increased engagement from new listeners of my music, I was taken aback by (what I would consider) a lack of support from friends, and admittedly it bothered me. It felt almost personal with every post that went unliked. I am at peace with my issue now and I know friends aren’t automatically fans or consumers of your content, however I wouldn’t ignore those warning signs – so beware of fake friends!’
Fake friends
They turn into fans
They all up in your business and they disturbing your plans like
Fake friends
All over the gram
But they won’t like a picture because they don’t wanna see you fly
Soar high
You’re high
No climbing
They don’t wanna see you
Soar high
You’re high
No climbing
Fake friends behind the scenes (Fake friends behind the scenes)
They smile in front of me
Me and my friends we can see you (see you)
Me and friends we can see you
Fake friends behind the scenes (Fake friends behind the scenes)
They smile in front of me
Me and my friends we can see you (see you)
My real friends we can see you I’m telling you
This song’s logical takeaway is to “beware of them fake friends,” but the true inevitable lesson learned is that Saint Joshua can (and will) light up any room he’s in. The artist burns bright in a song full of warm flavor and alluring, sultry textures – from Saint Joshua’s own impassioned vocal harmonies, to the bluesy guitars crying in the distance. “Fake Friends” is an exceptional addition to Joshua’s burgeoning repertoire, and a song we’ll surely have on repeat for years to come.
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Stream: “Fake Friends” – Saint Joshua
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