Friend

Released in late 2007 on Warp Records, Friend serves as a bridge between the breakthrough success of Yellow House and the more polished art-pop of Veckatimest. Though technically an EP, its eleven tracks provide a substantial exploration of the band's sonic identity during their most fertile period. The collection is notable for its collaborative spirit, featuring covers of Grizzly Bear songs by contemporaries like Band of Horses and CSS, alongside the band's own cover of The Crystals' 'He Hit Me.' The inclusion of 'Granny Diner' and the alternate 'Shift' provides valuable context for the Yellow House sessions, showcasing the band's obsession with analog warmth and chamber-folk arrangements. Critics from Pitchfork and AllMusic praised the EP for its ability to feel like a complete work rather than a mere collection of b-sides, noting that it deepened the band's reputation for intricate vocal work and sophisticated, jazz-inflected folk.