Friends in the Corner
| Friends in the Corner | ||||
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| EP by | ||||
| Released | 1 April 2021 | |||
| Genre | Pop | |||
| Length | 27:40 | |||
| Label | PIAS | |||
| Foxes chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Friends in the Corner | ||||
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Friends in the Corner is the second extended play by English singer and songwriter Foxes. It was released on 1 April 2021 through PIAS Recordings.[1][2] The EP was preceded by numerous singles, including "Love Not Loving You", "Woman", "Friends in the Corner", "Hollywood" and "Kathleen" which were released throughout 2020 and 2021.
Background
[edit]Following the release of her second album, All I Need, Foxes took a four-year hiatus from music. In February 2018, she teased new music stating "Thank you for your patience with this next record... I will be releasing new music this year and I can't wait to share it with you".[3] She eventually made her comeback in May 2020 with the single "Love Not Loving You", followed by "Woman" and "Friends in the Corner"—the latter inspired by a weekend with close friends and addressing themes of vulnerability, mental health, and the importance of looking out for one another.[4] Foxes described the EP as "an emotional whirlpool", highlighting its intimate and "extremely personal" subject matter. While it includes uplifting moments, she noted that it also ventures into more dramatic and emotionally charged territory.[5]
Composition
[edit]Friends in the Corner EP includes a mix of previously released and new tracks that explore personal and emotional themes. "Love Not Loving You" serves as a bold, energetic return following Foxes' hiatus, while "Friends in the Corner" touches on the quiet vulnerabilities of mental health. "Hollywood" reflects on challenges faced while chasing dreams in Los Angeles, and "Woman" offers a message of resilience and standing against injustice. "Kathleen" is a personal tribute to her grandmother. The EP also features three new tracks: "Courage", "Dance", and an acoustic version of "Kathleen".[6]
Release and promotion
[edit]The EP's lead single, "Love Not Loving You", was released on 20 May 2020.[7] The song was her first release in four years and marked Foxes' first release with her new record label, PIAS, after departing from RCA and Sign of the Times.[8] The second single, "Woman", was released on 29 July 2020.[9] This was followed by "Friends in the Corner" on 2 September 2020 and "Hollywood" on 4 December 2020.[10][11]
"Kathleen" was released as the fifth single on 17 March 2021, along with a YouTube premiere for its music video.[2] The announcement of the EP's release coincided with the premiere, and the EP was made available for pre-order on 19 March 2021.[12]
Critical reception
[edit]Neil Z. Yeung of AllMusic described Friends in the Corner as a varied and emotive pop EP that previews Foxes' next chapter, blending nostalgic anthems with sweeping ballads.[13]
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Friends in the Corner" |
| Oli Bayston | 3:29 |
| 2. | "Kathleen" |
|
| 3:51 |
| 3. | "Love Not Loving You" |
|
| 3:34 |
| 4. | "Hollywood" |
|
| 3:20 |
| 5. | "Dance" |
|
| 3:20 |
| 6. | "Woman" |
| Paul Dixon | 3:14 |
| 7. | "Courage" |
| Smith | 4:07 |
| 8. | "Kathleen" (Live Acoustic) |
|
| 3:57 |
| Total length: | 27:40 | |||
References
[edit]- ^ "Foxes unveils new single 'Kathleen' | News". DIY. 18 March 2021. Archived from the original on 18 March 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
- ^ a b Kenneally, Cerys (18 March 2021). "Foxes announces Friends In The Corner EP with new single "Kathleen"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
- ^ Foxes (13 February 2018). "✨". Facebook. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
- ^ Richards, Will (3 September 2020). "Foxes shares huge new dancefloor-filler, 'Friends in the Corner'". NME. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
- ^ Mosk, Mitch (8 May 2021). ""Emotional Car Crashes": Singer/Songwriter Foxes Makes a Stunning Return with Her 'Friends in the Corner EP". Atwood Magazine. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
- ^ "Foxes - Friends in the Corner EP". The [PIAS] Store. 1 April 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
- ^ Langford, Jackson (21 May 2020). "Foxes returns with new single 'Love Not Loving You'". NME. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
- ^ Malt, Andy (20 May 2020). "Foxes signs new management and recording deals". Complete Music Update. Archived from the original on 11 July 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
- ^ "British star Foxes Shares New Single 'Woman'". Out Now Magazine. 30 July 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
- ^ "Foxes releases new song 'Friends In The Corner' | News". DIY. 2 September 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
- ^ Murray, Robin (7 December 2020). "Foxes Re-visits Painful Memories With New Single 'Hollywood'". Clash. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
- ^ "Friends in the Corner EP". Deezer. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
- ^ Neil Z. Yeung. "Friends in the Corner [EP] Review by Neil Z. Yeung". AllMusic. Retrieved 2 June 2025.