Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Avery Friedman has officially launched her music career with the release of her debut album New Thing, an emotionally resonant indie-folk collection that’s quickly capturing attention from listeners and critics alike. The album, released on April 18, 2025, features eight original tracks and introduces Friedman as a compelling new voice in the folk and dream-pop genres.
New Thing marks a significant milestone for Friedman, who only began writing music in 2023. The inspiration for her songwriting came in the wake of a traumatic mugging incident that left her grappling with anxiety and disorientation. Rather than retreating, Friedman found solace and empowerment in songwriting, which became a form of emotional processing and self-expression.
In her own words, Friedman describes the album as “a conduit for emotions too frenetic to hold on your own.” Her lyrics delve into themes of vulnerability, trauma, resilience, and self-reclamation. Each track carries an air of intimacy, inviting listeners to connect with their own emotions and experiences through her storytelling.
The production on New Thing complements the raw emotionality of Friedman’s lyrics. Contributions from artists such as James Chrisman (of Sister. and CIAO MALZ), Felix Walworth (of Florist and Told Slant), and Ryan Cox (of Club Aqua) add depth and texture. Their combined efforts yield a sound that seamlessly blends lo-fi folk, ethereal dream pop, and jangly indie rock.
The opening track, “Flowers Fell,” sets the tone with minimalist instrumentation and soft vocals that gradually build into a lush, layered soundscape. Listeners are immediately immersed in a world of emotional reckoning and poetic introspection. “Photo Booth,” one of the album’s standout tracks, juxtaposes a catchy melody with deeply personal lyrics that touch on fleeting moments of clarity amid emotional turbulence.
Another highlight, the title track “New Thing,” serves as both an anthem of transformation and a reflection on identity. Through rich metaphors and layered harmonies, Friedman reflects on what it means to embrace change and redefine oneself after loss.
Critics have responded warmly to the debut. NPR’s All Songs Considered praised New Thing as “a cocktail of anxiety and uneasy beauty with chiming, ringing arrangements that really get under your skin.” The Line of Best Fit called the album “a promise to the listener that there is beauty in uncertainty and becoming,” while Under the Radar Magazine emphasized its “raw singer/songwriter confessionalism.”
What sets Friedman apart is not just her lyricism but her ability to create an immersive atmosphere. The lo-fi production doesn’t feel underdeveloped; instead, it lends authenticity and warmth. This sonic intimacy makes New Thing feel like a personal conversation with the artist.
On May 15, 2025, Friedman held a sold-out album release show at Union Pool in Brooklyn. The intimate venue provided the perfect backdrop for her vulnerable yet powerful performance. Audience members described the show as “heart-wrenching,” “cathartic,” and “profound.” The performance cemented Friedman’s place as a breakout talent in the indie music scene.
Friedman’s entry into the music world is not without precedent—she comes from a family of musicians and has long had a passion for storytelling. However, New Thing is uniquely her own, shaped by lived experience and emotional honesty. She has cited influences ranging from Joni Mitchell to Phoebe Bridgers, but her sound stands independently with a distinctive blend of nostalgia and modernity.
As New Thing continues to make waves across streaming platforms and college radio, Friedman is already working on new material. She has hinted at a follow-up EP exploring similar themes but with more experimental arrangements.
In a recent interview, Friedman said, “This album was about surviving and making meaning from the chaos. The next one, I think, will be about what comes after survival—what it means to build something new.”
For fans of reflective, emotionally rich music, New Thing offers a deeply satisfying listening experience. Each song unfolds like a chapter in a memoir, bringing with it a sense of discovery and catharsis. It’s a debut that doesn’t just announce an artist—it invites you into her world.
Tracklist for New Thing:
- Flowers Fell
- Barely There
- Photo Booth
- Make No Sound
- New Thing
- Shadow Games
- Afterimage
- Out of Frame
Upcoming Performances:
- June 12, 2025 – Mercury Lounge, NYC
- June 20, 2025 – World Cafe Live, Philadelphia
- July 5, 2025 – Great Scott, Boston
As more listeners discover her music, it’s clear that Avery Friedman is not just a “new thing”—she’s a necessary one. With a voice that cuts through the noise and lyrics that linger, her debut is both timely and timeless.