“This album right here, it’s a statement. I’m here.” When American Songwriter spoke with surging Philadelphia-bred singer Fridayy earlier this summer about his at-the-time forthcoming debut album, this is one of the many thoughts he shared about the LP. As of yesterday (August 25), Fridayy’s self-titled record has arrived, seeing him use quite a few different approaches to put his best foot forward.
Videos by American Songwriter
Lasting 39 minutes across 14 songs, Fridayy contains a harmonious collision of the handful of genres that have inspired the 26-year-old throughout his musical journey. Whether it be his patented piano-backed ballads or choir-assisted bops, such as “Came Too Far” and the promotional single “When It Comes To You,” or more adventurous cuts like the Afrobeat-inspired “You” or dancehall track “Mercy,” Fridayy laid it all out there for the world to see.
“N****s don’t be listening to albums anymore,” he told us back in July. “They’re gonna have to listen to this one. There’s something in there for everybody.”
[RELATED: Fridayy Releases New Single “When It Comes To You,” Speaks on Upcoming Album]
The morning after the album’s midnight ET release, Fridayy would deliver the music video for the LP’s third track “Stand By Me.” The third song on Fridayy to earn a visual, after the aforementioned “When It Comes To You” and the lead single “Don’t Give It Away (feat. Chris Brown),” “Stand By Me” depicts a group therapy session where viewers are put in the shoes of those struggling to find joy in life. An anthem for effort and perseverance, Fridayy’s I know I ain’t perfect, but you know I’m still gonna try lyric perfectly soundtracks the scenes in the visual.
Overall, after earning high-profile co-signs in the form of the DJ Khaled-Jay-Z-Lil Wayne collaboration “God Did,” the Lil Baby link-up on “Forever,” and a spot on XXL‘s 2023 Freshman List, Fridayy shines on his own with this new full-length effort. Asserting that he “just wants to make good music,” Fridayy makes it clear that he was able to live up to the standard he set for himself.
“Throughout the year, people have been seeing me in the videos, watching me perform at the Grammys, XXL,” he told American Songwriter. “I feel like most of the people that pay attention to hip-hop or R&B either saw me or know me. So I feel like this album is, ‘I’m here.’”
Watch the “Stand By Me” video below.
Photo courtesy Def Jam Recordings
