Fritz Hager captures the turmoil of young love in his bittersweet and introspective new single Bad Friend — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
A moody and introspective ballad out today on all digital platforms via 19 Recordings, the song delves into the complexities of young love and its impact on friendships, drawing listeners in with its captivating melodies and thought-provoking lyrics. Bad Friend “is about how young love can ruin friendships,” Hager shares. “When we wrote this song, we wanted to explore how confusing love can be at a young age when you don’t have the tools to communicate it. Bad Friend is a melancholic look into the past and a kind of apology to the people we hurt.”
In Bad Friend, Hager delivers a poignant exploration of the confusing nature of love during youth, where inadequate communication can lead to the unraveling of friendships. With soulful vocals and a delicate arrangement that evokes the moodiness of artists like Ed Sheeran and Sufjan Stevens, the song acts as both a melancholic reflection on the past and an apology to those who were hurt along the way. The song follows the success of Hager’s previous single Two Step a clever critique of the male fantasy versus reality. Juxtaposing catchy hooks with humorous narratives about romantic mishaps, the song showcased his signature witty storytelling and dynamic pop sensibilities.
Hager is an “indie guy” in his own words — a rock ’n’ roll maverick. His Texan upbringing unequivocally fostered his love of music, but his cultural milieu began to evolve with an introduction to the theatre. Hager went on to study the form at Oklahoma City University, but realized after one semester that he was not the conventional college type. Whatever he conjured during this time became an essential part of his ingenuity and brand. “I write for two reasons,” Hager reflects, “to bring sincerity into the mainstream — making observations about the world, personal struggles, universal struggles — and escapism, which is to simply zone out and have fun. There’s a need for both, and I like finding the balance.”
During his time on American Idol, where he made his mark as a judge and fan favourite, Hager released selections from his debut EP, which topped the iTunes chart. True to his independent nature, the self-titled project was entirely crowdfunded. This success story was quickly followed by his single Hearts Align, which reached No. 5 on the Alternative chart. He wrapped his Idol career with a performance of the song on Live With Kelly and Ryan.
Hager has been hard at work in the studio, crafting a series of captivating tracks that are set to follow the release of Bad Friend. With his ability to express the attitudes and anxieties of Gen Z through his music, he continues to bridge the gap between the serious and the silly, providing listeners with heartfelt ballads and catchy anthems alike.
Check out Bad Friend above, hear it on your preferred streamer HERE, sample more from Fritz Hager below, and befriend him on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.
