&friends is the musical manifesto of New York-based creative Sean Thomas, a dance-driven journey into the mind of the producer. Inspired by his surroundings and the effervescence of the wider world, &friends draws from diverse cultures and communities to devise a fluid and forward thinking approach to artistry. Emerging last year with big hitting track “Gbagbe e”, the artist has gone out to unveil a smattering of singles and remixes, pinpointing their sound and building a loyal fan base, spinning tracks worldwide, from iamb to Madrid to Mexico City.
&friends has now returned with the unveiling of an official cover of Armin Van Buuren’s classic track, “This Is What It Feels Like”. This year makes the 10th anniversary for the iconic tune, and what better way of celebrating this than with a reimagined version of the track that puts a modern, forward thinking spin on the original. &friends once again enlists the finesse of Phina Asa after their collaboration on previous single “Dangerous”, with the pair showcasing great sonic chemistry on the energetic cut.
Speaking on the release, &friends comments: “This record is about overcoming, triumphing despite all odds, bumps, bruises, and our deepest scars. It is a celebration, an honouring of how far we’ve come – at its core, this song speaks to the essential human need for connection and love. This song speaks to the power of love to transform us, to give us purpose and meaning, and to sustain us through the darkest of times. It reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles, and that even in the midst of pain and loss, there is always hope for a brighter future.”
Listen to the banger below!