Neil Friedlander – In the Faintest Familiar Sense (Spotify)
Israeli singer-songwriter and artist Neil Friedlander releases new single ‘In The Faintest Familiar Sense’ on 14 February 2020, setting the tone for a brand new album release this Spring.
“In the Faintest Familiar Sense is a song about trust. I wrote it for a distant friend, recognising that life and time would have their way with us before we might be together again. It’s a surrender to the notion of “it’s not up to you”, and a prayer to keep my heart open in the meantime.” - Neil Friedlander
Producer Aviv Meshulam brings his magic to the production, infusing it with 80’s warmth. The breezy guitar melodies, lush pads, marimbas and vocoder choir set the tone, while Neil’s ethereal voice floats above.
Neil Friedlander was born in Jerusalem, Israel. They started writing songs when they were 9 years old, and continued to hone their craft throughout High School and their service in the Navy. Their first album, Movements Into Language, was produced by Aviv Meshulam and recorded at MRTF studios, and released in January 2018. The album, a collection of letters to
former lovers, explorations of loss, addiction, sexuality and desire, received critical acclaim in Israel upon its release, and the single ‘What Part of Love’ was featured on leading media outlets and radio stations.
Neil and Aviv toured with the album in Italy and Israel, and returned to the studio to begin working on their next project. After backpacking in India, Neil moved to Brooklyn, New York. Their second album with Aviv, ‘Love is a Ripple on a Lake’, was completed over the course of a year and a half.
The album reflects the dawn of a new chapter in their life, and revolves around the themes of acceptance and freedom, ego, and falling in love. Neil continues to use music to express the changes and life transitions they go through; letting go of their orthodox religious education, deepening their understanding of love and of themselves, and moving towards a new form of spirituality.
‘Love is a Ripple on a Lake’ is released this Spring.
Reviewed by Nagamag on March 1, 2020