TYLER BRADEN - Friends - Warner Music Nashville

It seems that for all artists that become stars, they have that one breakthrough year when everything falls into place.  2023 may be that year for Tyler Braden, who has just released his latest single, “Friends.”  The “friend zone” pondering tune is available digitally and on all streaming platforms now via Warner Music Nashville.

Written by Randy Montana, Lynn Hutton, and Brent Anderson, “Friends” is the story told through a conversation between two people who previously had a relationship, but now are trying to remain close as friends.  As has proven to be the case over time, thoughts and feelings can become complicated and questions of desire and intent are construed as doubt if it is possible to be friends while yearning for more.

Lyrically, this song uses articulate imagery and down-to-earth, relatable scene-setting to put the listener right in the middle of the conversation.  One can sense confusion, frustration, and internal turmoil as the song progresses and the singer arrives at the realization that he will always see this person as more than a friend.

“When you say you wanna be friends

Like I’ve never seen you crawl across my bed

Like I love you’s something we ain’t ever said, so honestly

Baby, I don’t see any way that you and me

Are ever gonna be friends”

Musically, this song is a rocker, using the arrangement and the heavy guitar riffs and cuts to add to the emotional impact of the progression.  The passion behind the runs and melodies, as well as Tyler’s vocal delivery, put the song’s emotive effect to another level.

“Honestly, this could be the most excited I’ve been for a release thus far,” Tyler said.  “And that’s strictly because of the love that fans have shown for this song.  We’ve gotten a lot of great feedback at both live shows and through social media, and there seems to be a lot of people that are pumped to hear this one.”

“Friends” is being released while Braden is still riding the momentum of his five track EP ‘One Take Sessions: Vol 1’.  Made available only a few weeks ago, the set is garnering praise from critics and media alike, including his debut single “Try Losing One” as well as a cover of the Goo Goo Dolls’ hit “Iris”.  ‘Neon Grave EP,’ released earlier this year, put Tyler on the country music map for many, introducing fans to his explosively gritty vocals and invocative lyrics. 

Having already been on the road throughout the year opening for some of the biggest names in the genre, including Brooks & Dunn, Dierks Bentley, and Luke Bryan, Braden has a slew of dates on the calendar across the map from now through the fall.

Now, with major label support and an impressive 240 million streams of his music tallied thus far, Braden is prepared to take his music and career to the next level.  As 2023 winds down, we may all look back at this year as the time when Tyler Braden began to become a household name in country music.

(Review Written By: Chad Carlson)

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