A fitting release following Valentine’s Day, bass-master Thundercat has dropped the second single from his upcoming album. Entitled Friend Zone, the track is a deliciously funky tune that extols the pain of being stuck in the unenviable position of loving video games and having unreciprocated feelings. Name-dropping games such as Diablo and Mortal Kombat, Thundercat paints a picture of a lonely person who just wants to kill some demons and be loved. Alas, it’s not to be.
The song also channels elements of Kendrick Lamar‘s music. Produced by Mono/Poly, Friend Zone shares a few similarities with Kendrick’s To Pimp A Butterfly, which Thundercat contributed to. Keen ears will hear a shared bass line with Wesley’s Theory, the opening track to the critically acclaimed album. And, at one point, the lyrics “bitch don’t kill my vibe” are heard, furthering the connection to his catalogue.
The whole album, Drunk, will be available on the 24th of February on both digital and CD releases. A four-LP red vinyl release will be out on March 10th for collectors and fans of Thundercat alike. If the singles are anything to go by (the first single Show You the Way was also brilliant), the album will definitely be one to cop.
Image: Thundercat/B+