Misery with a Wink: Skybar Tiger Nails the Post-Pandemic Mood

Skybar Tiger’s latest release “Pulling Away From Our Friends” is a sharply observant, surprisingly buoyant reflection on modern disconnection—and it might just be the indie-rock reality check we didn’t know we needed. 

The full-band sound is a step forward for Skybar Tiger, expanding from Parker’s earlier acoustic approach into something that feels alive and almost sarcastically upbeat, ironic, considering the themes. From the first strum, there’s a DIY warmth in the mix, and knowing it was recorded in a living room with Logic Pro’s session musicians adds a certain charm. But don’t let the casual setup fool you, this song hits hard.

While the song’s tone is undeniably playful, it carries a dense emotional payload. It’s about the subtle unraveling of connection in a world that pretends it’s back to normal. Parker captures that social drift with startling clarity, turning what could have been a melancholic lament into a toe-tapping catharsis.

There’s a little Frank Turner in the vocal bite, a hint of Modest Mouse in the bounce, and a whole lot of honest soul in between. “Pulling Away From Our Friends” doesn’t wallow, it observes, critiques, and still manages to make you sing along. It’s smart. It’s sad. It’s sly. And it deserves to be on your playlist.