Friendzone is making their return to Lost In Dreams with the engrossing offering “Deep End,” alongside singer-songwriter Casey Cook.
“Deep End” is a powerful and enticing ballad. Casey Cook’s vocal performance is impassioned and inviting, while carrying an underlying heaviness. The lyrics explore her internal struggle and, in turn, promotes the power of finding one’s saving grace. Friendzone carefully builds the production around the vocals for maximum impact. The opening is cinematic and slow-burning, providing a darker, understated texture. As the clouds begin to part, the track ramps up with choppy synth ripples, frothy textures, ebullient pads, trodding percussive hits, and chirpy vocal harmonies. The drops provide a radiant and upbeat air that’s irresistibly infectious. It hits like a warm embrace ensuring that everything is going to be alright. “Deep End” serves as a reminder that life can be difficult but it’s all worth it.
Speaking on the collab, Friendzone shares: “We’ve been a fan of Casey’s work for a while and knew we had to get something off the ground with her. Before we started working, we developed a social media friendship that later blossomed into us sending over the initial instrumental for ‘Deep End’; and she took it from there. I remember listening to the first couple of drafts she sent us while we were in a hotel room in Kansas City and we were immediately hooked. ‘Deep End’ is both happy, yet gritty. A perfect combo of soaring, catchy, and playful vocal lines over groovy textures, percussion, and an exciting chop melody over the drop. We’re so proud of how this collaboration turned out; but even more happy to have found a great friend in Casey.”
Shedding light on the meaning behind the single, Casey Cook explains: “‘Deep End’ is a thank you to the person that sticks by you even in your darkest moments. When your world is falling apart and everything seems to be going wrong, they make it right. Whether it’s a shoulder to cry on, or an ear to listen, we all need someone to keep us grounded through the daily battles we face.”
The release marks Friendzone’s third single with Lost In Dreams, following “Read Your Mind” with sad alex, and “Glow In The Dark” in tandem with Nevve. The latter was a breakout success, which has amassed 1.3M streams.
Hayden Warzek and Jesse Woods are the minds behind the Friendzone project, two Salt Lake City-based buddies who’ve been building unbreakable bonds in the dance space as of late. They were touted as a ‘Artist To Watch’ in 2022 by the tastemakers at YourEDM. The duo has also locked a stream of radio support from the likes BPM, Diplo’s Revolution, Pitbull’s Globalization, Illenium’s ‘Phoenix Radio,’ Alison Wonderland’s ‘Radio Wonderland,’ R3HAB’s ‘CYB3RPVNK Radio,’ and more.
Rhode Island-raised, L.A.-based singer-songwriter Casey Cook is a go-to collaborator for some of dance music and pop music’s hottest stars, having worked with Wooli, Trivecta, N3WPORT, Codeko, and more. She recently appeared on Lost In Dreams with “Your Imagination” in collaboration with Afinity. Her work has garnered support from Mr. Suicide Sheep, Gryffin’s ‘Elevate Radio,’ Illenium’s ‘Phoenix Radio,’ Alison Wonderland’s ‘Radio Wonderland,’ and more. With over 60 million combined streams on Spotify, her talent continues to propel her career forward.
“Deep End” is an electro-pop ballad that explores life’s highs and lows while offering an optimistic undercurrent.
Friendzone and Casey Cook’s new single “Deep End” is available on all platforms via Lost In Dreams Records.
