Special Friend – Isolation (Skep Wax)
With their third album, Clipping, releasing on 20 March French / American duo Special Friend have released a third single from it, Isolation
Artist: Special Friend
Track: Isolation
Label: Skep Wax
Release date: 10 March 2026
Find it: Bandcamp
The release of the third album, Clipping, from French / American duo Special Friend is fast approaching (20 March 2026) and new single Isolation gives us a classic mix of sweetly jangling indiepop with melancholic undertones.
Staying true to their lo-fi indie roots in both sound and accompanying video, Isolation casts a Country-tinge and while on first listen catches the ear with a shimmering pop surface repeat plays reveal the depths of yearning. As a track it’s a little more standard than some of the other offerings from this record (read our review of first single Breakfast) which have layered on fuzz, leant into vocal interplay, and found surprising ways to build rich layers given they are a duo.
Yet, Isolation, is no yet striking for dialling down and coming in soft and sweet. Or at least that’s how it lands sonically. Lyrically it evokes a far more sharp feeling – grief, longing, and a sense that being alone is tipping toward loneliness.
And isn’t that the mark of great indiepop? Highlighting the ragged edges of hard feelings by juxtaposing with gentle melody. I think so, and Special Friend have pulled that off with aplomb here.
Isolation by Special Friend is out now digitally. The album, Clipping, is set for release on 20 March 2026 via Skep Wax, Howlin’ Banana and Hidden Bay Records.
Find Special Friend: Bandcamp | Instagram | Facebook
If you have enjoyed reading this piece on Popoptica you can buy us a virtual coffee via Ko-fi – every donation helps us to do what we do.
We’d love it if you shared on social media too – find us on:
Find more new music on the site here.
Sarah Lay
A long-standing music journalist she's also co-founder of independent record label Reckless Yes, an author of novels, and when not messing around with words and music, a digital strategist.
Latest posts by Sarah Lay (see all)
- The Empty Page – A Feminine Ending (Kycker) - 18th March 2026
- th’sheridans – Painted (self released) - 12th March 2026
- Annie Dressner – Dumb Boy (self released) - 11th March 2026