Friends (Omar Apollo EP)

Friends
EP by
Omar Apollo
ReleasedApril 10, 2019 (2019-04-10)
Length22:37
Label
Producer
Omar Apollo chronology
Stereo (EP)
(2018) 		Friends
(2019) 		Apolonio
(2020)
Singles from Friends
  1. "Trouble"
    Released: January 30, 2019
  2. "Ashamed"
    Released: February 27, 2019
  3. "So Good"
    Released: May 16, 2019

Friends is the second EP by American singer-songwriter Omar Apollo. It was released independently on April 10, 2019,[2] preceded by the singles "Trouble" and "Ashamed" .[3]

Background

On March 4, 2019, AWAL Recordings announced in a press release that Omar Apollo had joined their roster. This deal would serve to give him radio promotion, help him breach international markets and distribution of his music.[4]

In an interview with DJBooth.net, Omar Apollo revealed that his upcoming EP would be more funk-oriented, with "space-y" sounds, including ballads, and having a more themed sound compared to his debut Stereo.[5]

Singles and music videos

On January 30, 2019, Omar released Trouble[6] across all music platforms. He announced that it would be the lead single for his 2nd EP, the next body of work since his debut EP Stereo.[7] The same day, Apollo also released a music video for the song which features his nephew alongside him, the video details Omar's decisions viewed through his nephew's eyes.[8]

Ashamed was released as the second single on February 27, 2019.[9] It is described as a mainly funk and R&B track which he produced with Blake Slatkin. The accompanying music and lyric video starred him recording a day out with his friends.[10]

In the week anticipating the EP release, Omar Apollo released the title track Friends as a promotional single.[3]

A music video for the disco inspired track So Good was released May 16, 2019. Apollo is seen performing in a retro-inspired set.[11]

The final music video for the era was for the song Kickback which premiered on October 1, 2019. This video features Omar partying with friends on a yacht living a dream. At the end of the video he is seen being struck by lightning.[12]

Tour

On March 9, 2019, Omar Apollo embarked on the Voyager Tour in support of the EP which spanned 34 dates across the United States and Canada. The tour included festival dates at SXSW.[13]

Track listing

Friends track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Ashamed"
  • Apollo
  • Shanks
  • Blake
3:24
2."Kickback"
  • Velasco
  • Apollo
  • Oscar Santander
2:51
3."Friends"
  • Shanks
  • Apollo
  • Apollo
  • Shanks
3:07
4."There For Me (Interlude)"
  • Slatkin
  • Velasco
  • Apollo
  • Blake
1:23
5."Hearing Your Voice"
  • Shanks
  • Apollo
  • Apollo
  • Shanks
4:02
6."So Good"
  • Shanks
  • Velasco
  • Apollo
  • Shanks
  • Blake
4:27
7."Trouble"
  • Slatkin
  • Velasco
3:23
Total length:22:37

Charts

Weekly chart performance for Friends
Chart (2019) Peak
position
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[14] 19

References

  1. ^ Friends, retrieved 2020-01-31
  2. ^ Friends by Omar Apollo, retrieved 2020-01-31
  3. ^ a b "Omar Apollo Announces New Friends EP, Shares New Song: Listen". Pitchfork. 3 April 2019. Retrieved 2020-01-25.
  4. ^ "Soulful R&B Singer-Songwriter Omar Apollo Joins AWAL". www.awal.com. 4 March 2019. Retrieved 2020-02-13.
  5. ^ Draughorne, Kenan. "How Omar Apollo Is Turning His Passion into Inspiration: Interview". DJBooth. Retrieved 2020-02-13.
  6. ^ "Trouble by Omar Apollo". iTunes. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  7. ^ Maicki, Salvatore (January 30, 2019). "Hear Omar Apollo's new song "Trouble"". The FADER. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
  8. ^ "Omar Apollo's "Trouble" Video: Watch It Here". Highsnobiety. 2019-01-30. Retrieved 2020-02-13.
  9. ^ "Ashamed by Omar Apollo". iTunes. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  10. ^ Castel, Gregory (2019-02-28). "Omar Apollo delivers the blues on his newest single "Ashamed" [Video]". EARMILK. Retrieved 2020-02-13.
  11. ^ "Watch Omar Apollo's discofied "So Good" video". The FADER. Retrieved 2020-02-13.
  12. ^ Exposito, Suzy (2019-10-01). "See Omar Apollo Captain a Yacht in New 'Kickback' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2020-02-13.
  13. ^ "Omar Apollo Announces 'The Voyager Tour' 2019". These Days. Retrieved 2020-02-13.
  14. ^ "Omar Apollo Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved January 9, 2023.