12 Friends & Strangers Songs | Playlist

1. Kali Uchis, “Just a Stranger”

Ft. Steve Lacy

Isolation • Virgin • 2018

“She’s a hurricane, feel the earth shake / If the devil was asleep, she’d knock him wide awake.” Woo! Kali Uchis released a fantastic debut album in 2018 with Isolation.  Much of Isolation is chocked-full of retro vibes, highlighting soul music and nostalgic vibes.  That’s the case with the third track from the album, “Just A Stranger.” Steve Lacy (The Internet) co-produces, as well as sings on the gem. “Just A Stranger”is groovy, continuing the vintage script of the album without a hitch.  The crowning achievement is undoubtedly the catchy, if repetitive and simple chorus. “She wants my hundred-dollar bills, she don’t want love.” Uchis does a fantastic job of characterizing herself, rather the character she plays – she’s all about the money.

“Go and say what you want, you are just a stranger
Watching from the bleachers ‘cause you can’t take the danger.”

2. Rich the Kid, “Dead Friends”

The World is Yours • Interscope • 2018

Rich the Kid closes out his debut album, The World is Yours, with “Dead Friends”, which is fueled by rap beef.  Supposedly, “Dead Friends” takes shots at Lil Uzi Vert.

The hook is ferocious – ice cold:

“You little n***as
My check bigger
Can’t flex, n***a
Can’t bet witcha
Teach you how to be a boss, top dropped off
Motherfuck the fame, I done came to the vault
All them dead friends
You a middleman
You a little man
Your money getting shorter
My bitch from ‘cross the water
Teach you how to count it, all about it, better boss up.”

Essentially, he plays the I’m better than you game, which features boasts involving money, but also references foreign girls, sigh. The second verse contains two particularly distinct moments. One references his wrist (“My wrist too cold with Moncler”), while the second seems most pertinent to Lil Uzi Vert (“Come to Rich forever, be a star”).

3. Halsey, “Strangers”

Ft. Lauren Jauregui

Hopeless Fountain Kingdom • Astralwerks • 2017

“Strangers” is clearly different from most of Hopeless Fountain Kingdom, the sophomore album by alternative-pop artist Halsey. Early on, “Stangers” establishes itself as an LGBTQ song.

On the first verse, Halsey sings:

“She doesn’t kiss me on the mouth anymore
‘Cause it’s more intimate, than she thinks we should...”

The chorus confirms this tilt:

“Said that we’re not lovers, we’re just strangers
With the same damn hunger
To be touched, to be loved, to feel anything at all.”

Lauren Jauregui (Fifth Harmony), shares her side of the story on the second verse, while both unite on the bridge.

“I miss the mornings with you laying in my bed
I miss the memories replaying in my head
I miss the thought of a forever, you and me
But all you’re missing is my body.”

4. Devin Dawson, “Asking for a Friend”

Dark Horse • Warner Music Nashville • 2018

“Hey, I was just wondering if anyone was sitting here / And if not, would it be okay if someone bought you a beer? / Let’s say that someone wanted to dance / Would he have any snowballin’ hell of a chance?” On “Asking for a Friend,” California country artist Devin Dawson is trying to act as a ‘wingman’ of sorts – supposedly. Clearly, however, he is the person who desires this lady, who is “So Beautiful / What man wouldn’t think you were the love of his life.” He goes on to say, “Just one drink would sure mean a lot to him.”

5. DNCE, “Kissing Strangers”

Ft. Nicki Minaj

Kissing Strangers – Single • Republic • 2017

Like previous DNCE records, “Kissing Strangers” thrives off its groove.  Rhythmically, the record is incredibly unified.  Simply put, there’s no escaping the one-two punch of the bass line coupled with the drums. The production work is slick AF. It isn’t far-fetched in sound or conception from seminal hit “Cake by the Ocean”, particularly given its nonsensical, carefree syllables.  Like “Cake,” this is incredibly tongue-n-cheek, evidenced from the jump.  Per the usual, “Kissing Strangers” is heavy on flirty, lite on nutrients and legit substance.  Nicki Minaj adds more lyrics to her guest verse, but that’s not saying much.  Ultimately, “Kissing Strangers” amounts to ear candy – innuendo.

6. Camila Cabello, “Real Friends”

Camila • Epic • 2018 

“Real Friends”,the seventh track from Camila, is an enjoyable, thoughtful, low-key offering from Camila Cabello. The production work is simple, with few frills.  Despite the conservative backdrop, it’s an effective, fitting accompaniment. Vocally, there’s more cooing than an overt, dramatic statement. Cabello sounds beautiful and sincere, but she doesn’t pack a huge punch.  Even so, the message is strong, and vocal harmonization and subtle cues are enough to carry the record.

7. Jake Miller, “Sleeping with Strangers”

2:00am in LA • Jake Miller • 2017

On “Parties”, pop singer Jake Miller allows himself to be vulnerable, admitting the pain of missing an ex- and being unable to see her with someone else.  He flips the situation on the follow-up track and song at hand, “Sleeping with Strangers.” On “Sleeping with Strangers,” Miller replaces his ex with someone he doesn’t really love.

“She’s not my type but she’ll do for now
‘Cause she’s wearing your same perfume
So I close my eyes and picture you smiling
Wishing she’ll turn into you.”

8. Marshmello & Anne-Marie, “FRIENDS”

Speak Your Mind • Asylum • 2018

Haven’t I made it obvious? / Haven’t I made it clear? / Want me to spell it out for you? / F-R-I-EN-D-S.” “FRIENDS” is set in a minor key but sounds exuberant regardless. As a producer, Marshmello is on-point. Even with the semi-dark vibe thanks to the minor key, the guitar conveys a sense of cool – ‘chill’ if you will.  The first verse is relatively light, carried by guitar, while the drum programming arrives on the chorus.  Naturally, the second verse is more robustly produced. As for English singer Anne-Marie, she delivers unapologetic, feisty vocals. In regards to her musical personality, she’s chocked-full of attitude. We wouldn’t have it any other way, particularly when she gets a bit salty. Ultimately, the pair makes sweet music together.

9. Sigrid, “Strangers”

Strangers – Single • Island • 2017

“Strangers” gives off quite the vibe before rising Norwegian pop artist Sigrid begins singing.  Calling it moody would be an overstatement, but there’s a curiousness – a mysteriousness. Vocally, Sigrid is cool, calm, and collected on the first verse.  By the chorus, the production grows more dynamic and intense, as do the lead vocals; there’s more punch and emotion.  The sound can be described as danceable, characterized by an electronic palette.  Even as Sigrid herself is more overt, she still doesn’t break too much of a sweat. “Strangers” easily meets expectations.

10. Superfruit, “Future Friends”

Future Friends • RCA • 2017

“Future Friends” gives Future Friends – the debut album by Superfruit aka Scott Hoying and Mitch Grassi of Pentatonix– another high note. A slick EDM-pop joint, it offers a little bit of everything: superb unison singing, beautifully harmonized vocals, and sensational production.  “Future Friends” originally appeared on the EP, Future Friends – Part One.  “Future Friends – Brian Robert Jones Choir Remix” officially concludes Future Friends (the full-length album).  The results are chilling.  Adding the choir to the highlight, only accentuates the record.

11. Marilyn Manson, “Killing Strangers”

Killing Strangers • Loma Vista • 2015

“And we got guns, we got guns / Motherfuckers better, better run.”  Those lyrics appear on the bridge of the vengeful, violent Marilyn Manson song,“Killing Strangers” (The Pale Emperor, 2015). When you think about it, there are few weapons more frightening than guns because of the understanding that in the wrong hands and the right aim, death is a strong possibility.  Manson isn’t making a statement about gun control necessarily, but “Killing Strangers” itself speaks to how heartless killers, particularly spree killers/mass murderers tend to be.

12. Chris Stapleton, “Friendship”

From a Room: Volume 2 • Mercury • 2017

Chris Stapleton is a ‘boss’ in country music, keeping its authenticity alive and well in a pop-dominated age. Though it wasn’t as heralded as his first album of 2017, From a Room: Volume 2 exemplified why Stapleton is currently the face of traditional, outlaw country. The nine-track From a Room: Volume 2is an incredibly consistent album, and amazingly, there are songs better than the record at hand, “Friendship”. That said, what better way to close an album than with “Friendship”? This easygoing, feel-good number is a stark contrast to “Death Row,” the moody closer for From a Room: Volume 1.  The exuberance and fire of Stapleton is simply irresistible.