Zachary Friederich releases genre-spanning new EP "LIKE A CHURCH BELL ON A SUNDAY"

Zachary Friederich is a genre-hopping songwriter from New York whose work moves across styles without settling into any single lane. His latest release, LIKE A CHURCH BELL ON A SUNDAY, continues that approach with a set of tracks that sit somewhere between modern rock experimentation and narrative-driven songwriting. The EP features contributions from fellow songwriters David Lowell, Kate DeToye and Shae Moseley, adding further texture to a project that already spans a wide range of sounds and ideas.

The opening track, Lucidity Infinity, is an 80s-inspired epic built around New Wave synths and drum machines. It tells the story of a voiceless boy who experiences lucid dreams where he becomes a great warrior. The production leans into a pulsing, retro feel while the narrative gives it a cinematic edge that carries it beyond straightforward nostalgia.

In contrast, Sparta comes in as an Alternative Rock warning shot aimed at fascist movements and the consequences of pushing an electorate too far. It is direct, aggressive and built like a battle cry, reflecting a clear sense of urgency and confrontation.

My Aria shifts into Pop Punk territory, framed as a declaration of independence. It is more immediate and melodic, carrying a sense of personal release while still fitting into the broader restless energy of the EP.

The Killing of an Italian Judge takes things in a more abrasive direction with a noisy Math Rock structure built around a volcanic riff. It is rhythmically complex and intentionally unsettled, adding another layer of contrast to the release.

The EP closes with All Hope Is Lost (The Complete Tragedy), a 14-minute mini rock opera about the sinking of an ocean liner. It is the most ambitious piece Friederich has ever attempted, taking 13 years to complete and unfolding like a slow-burning narrative collapse rather than a standard song structure.

Taken together, the EP shows Zachary Friederich working comfortably across genre boundaries while keeping a strong focus on storytelling. It moves from synth-driven drama to punk immediacy, from mathematical intensity to full-scale rock opera, holding it all together with a clear sense of intent and a willingness to push ideas further than expected.