This Friday sees the release of Italy’s finest, FREEZ’s debut record. A record that will transport you back to the summer and give you some much needed warmth. I’ve written about FREEZ before, and to now write about their debut record is something I’m really proud to do. They’re one of the most exciting bands around, and just make you fall in love with music all over again and again.

Always Friends is a really exciting record; it has everything you would want from a Surf/Garage Rock. If you love bands like Wavves and DIIV- then you’re going to really love this record. It is such a feel-good body of music, and they’ve honestly created something worth treasuring here. It may be their debut record, but it most certainly does not sound like it. It sounds like a record from a band who have been around for such a long time, and that this is their fourth record or something. They have such a strong and established sound, again it is a record to play constantly.

It is such an enjoyable record, and I hope it is one that brings them over to the UK to show us just how great they are. Always Friends is a record to do nothing and everything to; you can play it whilst on the way to work, or at home doing nothing. Wherever and whenever you play it, it will just make you feel good. With so much shit going on in the world we need bands like FREEZ to make it all a little bit easier and they most certainly do that on this record. I can definitely say that this is one of the best records you will hear this year. It has so much wisdom, youth and joy. You cannot help but feel better when you play this record. It’s got that beautiful Surfer feel to it, and sometimes when bands try to grasp this sound, they end up sounding like everything that’s been done before but FREEZ nail it. They make it their own. There’s the occasional snarl in the vocals that add some bite to the songs, and I love that. It is just a real pleasure to listen to and play super loud!

The whole record is made up of songs that could be singles and make the band just take over the world. Songs like Bleeding Skies, Heads and Soul are just perfect, but please be assured that every single song on Always Friends deserves its place. Every single song fits perfectly; they’ve crafted this record with so much thought and care. There are no fillers on this record, and that alone makes it such a great listen. Basement is the one you need to play extra loud and soak in.

You’ve got your sun-kissed anthems on this record, and they’re the ones you’ll cling to as the days get shorter and darkness comes earlier than what we’re used to. They provide this warmth and soul that just makes you feel really soothed. It’s the kind of record you’d relax to but also probably blast out at a party. FREEZ are truly a remarkable band who take you on a gorgeous blissed out journey on this record, and it just blows your mind how young they are, and they have perfected such a great sound. Then again, they’re Italian and we know what we’re doing!

I really love that with this record, you can shut your eyes and you can be almost anywhere in the world. You could be on a beach or you could just be hanging out at home. A great way to listen to this record is to just play it through headphones and close your eyes. Right now, it’s a bit difficult for me to pick one song that standouts the most because it really is a phenomenal record, but I think I’m going to mention Soul again. That’s the one I keep going back to, but honestly, the whole record is nothing short of perfect. As far as debut records go, this is definitely up there as being one of the best. I really hope this record exposes FREEZ to new fans across the world so they can show everyone just how great they are. As I mentioned, the songs just fit perfectly together, and I love how Soul flows beautifully into Waiting For which a contender for best song on the record! The whole record is perfect to laze about to, but don’t think for a second that FREEZ are lazy. Oh no! They are one of the most hard-working bands around, and they’ve already toured round Italy a bunch of times. Now it is time that they came to the UK and blow us away with their live shows.

Irrespective of the kind of music you’re into, FREEZ have made something here for everyone. You cannot ignore how fantastic this record is, and how on their first full length record they have created something so powerful and memorable. It is a divine listen, and I hope you become obsessed with it like I have.

Always Friends is released this Friday via Wild Honey Records.