Zachary Friederich’s 'STRANGERS': A Genre-Spanning Exploration of Collaboration

New York-based songwriter and producer Zachary Friederich is no stranger to musical reinvention. With a penchant for crossing genre boundaries, his latest EP, STRANGERS, serves as a testament to his dynamic artistry. A project rooted in collaboration, the record brings together a diverse range of international musicians, each contributing their unique sonic identity to Friederich’s production. The result is a rich, eclectic collection of tracks that refuse to be confined to a single musical style.

You Can Only Live When You Die – Dream Pop Transcendence

The EP opens with You Can Only Live When You Die, a dream pop epic written by UK-based singer-songwriter Poggy. Ethereal and expansive, the track weaves Poggy’s delicate vocals with a lush instrumental landscape crafted by Friederich. The inclusion of flute alongside shimmering synths and layered strings adds a sense of otherworldly beauty, while the interplay between rhythm guitar and lead flourishes underscores the song’s hypnotic depth.

• Poggy – Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Flute
• Zachary Friederich – Bass, Drums, Synths, Strings, Lead Guitar

Jackson Pollock – A Bold Art Rock Statement

Next comes Jackson Pollock, an art rock experiment bursting with frenetic energy. Written by Brandon Perit and Zachary Friederich, the track is a collaboration with the US indie band The New Madrid Fault Line. Channelling the chaos of its namesake, the song delivers angular guitar work, driving basslines, and an almost painterly approach to sound design. With Friederich’s vocals at the helm, backed by Perit’s intricate instrumentation, the track is an electrifying highlight.

• Brandon Perit – Bass, Backing Vocals, Synths, Drums
• Zachary Friederich – Vocals, Guitars, Drums

I Never Want to See You Again – Lo-fi Melancholy

For a shift in tone, I Never Want to See You Again introduces lo-fi pop textures in collaboration with Canadian indie band Naked House. Co-written with Damon Guyett, the song is an intimate and melancholic reflection on emotional distance. Guyett’s hushed vocal delivery pairs seamlessly with Friederich’s expressive guitar work, while Kate DeToye’s backing harmonies add a haunting depth to the track’s minimalist arrangement.

• Damon Guyett – Vocals, Guitar
• Zachary Friederich – Lead Guitar, Bass, Acoustic Guitar
• Kate DeToye – Backing Vocals

Oceania (Always at War With) – Shoegaze Dystopia

Closing the EP is Oceania (Always at War With), a brooding shoegaze-infused composition that stands as the most dystopian of the collection. Written solely by Friederich, the track enlists members of the American indie bands Perfect Weather for Humans and MotherFather to bring his vision to life. Swirling guitars, pulsating synths, and a weighty rhythm section create an immersive wall of sound, enveloping the listener in its dark, cinematic atmosphere.

• Zachary Friederich – Vocals, Guitars
• Shae Moseley – Drums, Synths, Strings
• David Lowell – Bass

A Unified Vision of Diverse Voices

With STRANGERS, Zachary Friederich has not only crafted a sonically adventurous EP but also showcased the power of artistic collaboration. Each track is a world of its own, yet they all share a common thread—Friederich’s keen ability to adapt, enhance, and seamlessly weave together disparate musical influences. From dream pop to art rock, lo-fi to shoegaze, STRANGERS is a bold exploration of connection through music, proving that even in collaboration, an artist’s distinct voice can shine.