Swindon’s Talk In Code return with their most polished and emotionally resonant track yet, “More Than Friends,” released via Regent Street Records on August 22nd. Known for their ability to channel the spirit of eighties new wave while weaving in the warmth of nineties indie pop, the band once again prove itself masters of nostalgia and reinvention. This time, however, they shift into more reflective territory, wrapping a universal story of tentative desire and emotional vulnerability in shimmering production and anthemic grooves. From the opening synth textures to the surging chorus, the track radiates confidence and fragility—an irresistible combination that marks it as one of their strongest singles to date.
At its lyrical core, “More Than Friends” tells the story of two people hovering on the edge of something greater, both hesitant and hopeful, waiting for someone to take that vital leap of honesty. Frontman Chris Stevens explains it best: “We’ve all been there, in a situation waiting for the other to make the first move, to validate our feelings, or to save face…” This tension between eagerness and apprehension is the heartbeat of the song. The verses simmer with longing and uncertainty, creating an intimate push-and-pull, while the chorus bursts open with cathartic energy, mirroring the way emotions can no longer be contained. It’s a song about risk, fear, and the thrilling unknown—the timeless story of wanting love to transcend friendship.
Musically, the track is a triumph of atmosphere and immediacy. Produced with Sam Winfield at Studio 91 in Newbury (whose credits include Amber Run, The Amazons, and Fickle Friends), “More Than Friends” blends sleek synth layers with buoyant guitar riffs and an infectious rhythmic backbone. The groove is steady and propulsive, carrying the listener forward like the quickening heartbeat of anticipation. Echoes of A-ha and Spandau Ballet run through the DNA of the song, not in a retro imitation but as a respectful nod to an era where pop music was unapologetically emotive and cinematic. Talk In Code captures that same sense of grandeur, pairing it with modern indie polish to create a sound that feels familiar and fresh.
What elevates “More Than Friends” is the way it straddles mood and scale. On one hand, the track feels deeply personal, steeped in the quiet doubts and hidden glances of a relationship about to tip into new territory. On the other hand, its soaring choruses and expansive production make it arena-ready, the kind of song you can imagine being sung back to the band in unison under festival lights. This duality—atmospheric yet anthemic—cements the track’s power. It’s an anthem for anyone who has wrestled with the uncertainty of what comes next and the exhilarating fear of being honest with their heart.
As the sixth release on Regent Street Records, “More Than Friends” is another step upward in Talk In Code’s ongoing ascent toward pop greatness. It’s a reminder of why the band continues to resonate: they create music that balances sophistication with accessibility, nostalgia with originality, and intimacy with universality. With its infectious groove, lyrical relatability, and lush production, “More Than Friends” bridges genres, decades and bridges people. It is, in every sense, a song about connection, delivered with a sincerity that lingers long after the final note.
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