Chicago pop-punk stalwarts Real Friends have kicked off the summer with their latest release and first new music of the year, the heart-wrenching “Waiting Room.” Opening with vocalist Cody Muraro singing, “After I knew there was only bad news,” his stirring ballad works to navigate and grapple with loss and grief. Following the November 2023 release of “When You Were Here,” “Waiting Room” is likely the second preview of their forthcoming, currently-untitled full-length album scheduled to arrive this fall.
“Today, the saddest and most important song we’ve ever written is out. This is for anyone who’s lost a loved one. This is Waiting Room,” the group shares across their social platforms.
They also shared a separate post, writing, “New era-New song out now-New album out this fall.”
Read more: Taylor Acorn Announces Debut Album ‘Survival In Motion,’ Shares Titular Single
Though a high-octane arrangement, the track feels like a return to the group’s roots, emphasizing the profound emotional anguish of grief and the struggle to cope with loss. The release’s deeply personal, meticulously crafted energy captures a raw breaking point, reflecting the uncertainty of handling immense loss and the overwhelming emotions that follow. Grab your tissues because, trust us, you’re going to need them, and check out the official video for “Waiting Room” below.
Real Friends have a massive summer of touring ahead of them, kicking off next Friday, July 5. Check out their full touring schedule below and grab tickets to see them live here.
Tour Dates:
- July 5—Omaha, NE @ Slowdown
- July 7—Albuquerque, NM @ Sunshine Theater
- July 8—Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom
- July 11—Sacramento, CA @ Rock & Brews
- July 12—Fresno, CA @ Full Circle Brewing Co
- July 13—Santa Ana, CA @ Observatory
- July 14—Flagstaff, AZ @ Pop Punk Summer Camp
- July 16—Denver, CO @ Mission Ballroom
- July 19—Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave / Eagles Club
- July 20—Chicago, IL @ The Salt Shed
- July 21—Pontiac, MI @ Crofoot Festival Grounds
- July 23—Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE
- July 24—Columbus, OH @ KEMBA Live!
- July 26—Atlanta, GA @ Coca-Cola Roxy
- July 27—Clearwater, FL @ The BayCare Sound
- July 29—Cleveland, OH @ Jacobs Pavilion
- Aug. 1—New York, NY @ The Rooftop At Pier 17
- Aug. 3—Worcester, MA @ Palladium
- Aug. 4—Asbury Park, NJ @ Stone Pony Summer Stage
- Aug. 6—Buffalo, NY @ Terminal B At The Outer Harbor
- Aug. 8—Philadelphia, PA @ Skyline Stage At The Mann
- Aug. 9—Columbia, MD @ The Chrysalis At Merriweather Park
- Sept. 7—Cincinnati, OH @ Ohio Is For Lovers 2024
