Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter Avery Friedman turns chaos into catharsis and vulnerability into powerful self-expression on her stunning debut album, ‘New Thing.’ This raw and luminous record is a journey of reckoning, awakening, and release. It is particularly appealing to fans of Phoebe Bridgers, Samia, Mitski, and Lizzy McAlpine.
Stream: ‘New Thing’ – Avery Friedman
Avery Friedman’s debut album possesses a quietly seismic energy. It doesn't yell, but neither does it softly murmur. It is a dynamic and turbulent experience in itself, yet it also serves as just the beginning of the artist's tale—a title that suits it perfectly. As a vessel of raw and delicate turmoil, New Thing is a record that gradually envelops you, revealing layers of aching honesty and emotional depth. With unfiltered lyrics and immersive arrangements that blur the lines between ‘indie folk’ and ‘indie rock,’ Friedman conveys the uncontainable chaos of being alive—the beautiful yet brutal process of becoming. It serves as a soundtrack for both breaking down and rediscovering oneself.
New Thing – Avery Friedman
Atwood Magazine is excited to premiere New Thing, which will be released on April 18th, 2025, via Audio Antihero. Emerging from necessity, trauma, and a profound urge to create, New Thing signifies the remarkable beginning of an artist who once believed music was meant for others. Collaborating with members of Florist, Sister., and Told Slant, this album stands as both a confessional and a collaborative effort—a living testament to transformation. Through intimate self-reflection and spontaneous catharsis, Friedman welcomes us into her world, not with polished grace, but with trembling hands and a wide-open heart.
“These are the first songs I’ve ever written, and I’m so grateful for how they’ve come together,” Friedman shares with Atwood Magazine. “In many ways, they document a period of significant growth and expansion in my life, with the pursuit of music being a major part of that. They explore themes of anxiety, anticipation, change, and experimentation; I believe those themes resonate sonically in the production as well.”
Avery Friedman © Mamie Heldman
Unlike many of her contemporaries, Avery Friedman has only recently ventured into songwriting. Growing up in Cleveland, Ohio, she relocated to Brooklyn in 2019 with no intention of becoming a musician. She loved music from a distance—playing guitar and occasionally writing about it, but it was something she thought others pursued. However, in the spring of 2023, a series of events—a traumatic mugging, the aftermath of fear, and an enlightening live music experience—ignited her spirit. Suddenly, songwriting became a refuge that allowed her to escape her mind and connect with her heart. “For a while after I was robbed, walking around felt different,” she explains. “I needed another way to process it. My guitar became that outlet.”
What unfolded was less a career shift than a personal revelation: a gentle and persistent act of defiance against fear, doubt, and long-standing beliefs about her capabilities. Friedman did not approach New Thing with a grand plan—just the desire to create something authentic, something that truly reflected her. And she didn’t embark on this journey alone. Embraced by a close-knit creative community, she discovered not only collaborators but also co-conspirators—artists who recognized her vision even before she could fully articulate it and assisted in bringing her early songs to life with care and shared intent.
“I met many of my collaborators through someone I was dating at the time, who is also in the band Sister.,” Friedman explains. “She kindly introduced me to her musical circle and encouraged me to collaborate with James Chrisman (Sister.), Felix Walworth (Told Slant, Florist), and Malia DelaCruz (CIAO MALZ). James and Felix, in particular, played a pivotal role in my music-making journey from the outset. They provided unwavering support and invested countless hours recording and rehearsing, helping these songs come to fruition.”
Avery Friedman © Mamie Heldman
There was no elaborate plan for New Thing—no pressure to attain perfection or meet expectations. Instead, Friedman chose to navigate her path through instinct and emotion rather than adhering to a fixed objective. The process was exploratory, even sacred at times—a space where vulnerability could manifest in sound, where the music mirrored her internal landscape.
“Since these are my first songs and my initial experience recording music, I didn’t have a clear vision for this LP,” she admits. “Above all, I aimed to create something that felt like a genuine expression of myself, reflecting my musical tastes—and to compose songs I would truly enjoy listening to.”
This deep level of trust and collaboration allowed Friedman to release any expectations—both external and self-imposed—and simply follow the songs’ direction. Lacking formal training or a preconceived
Her newest release comes after 'Henry, come on', which was launched earlier this month.
Three years after the launch of their bold and critically celebrated self-titled debut, the London octet caroline has made a comeback with their exhilarating new single 'Total Euphoria' and a refreshed perspective on their musical identity.
The singer from London is set to unveil her fifth album on July 18th.
The Australian psychedelic band has also released the album's main single, 'Deadstick.'
This year's edition of the Hamburg event will feature fifty new acts, scheduled for September.
Astute observers of life's darker side, Viagra Boys have dedicated recent years to personal growth. As 'viagr aboys' sharpens their bizarre narrative in a chaotic world, perhaps the peculiar style of the Swedes is one of the few rational things remaining.
Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter Avery Friedman turns chaos into catharsis and transforms vulnerability into confident self-expression on her stunning debut album ‘New Thing,’ a genuine and luminous collection that reflects themes of reckoning, awakening, and release.