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"Real Friends" is a song recorded by British girl group XO. It was released on 17 October 2025 through Polydor Records as the second single from the group's debut extended play, Fashionably Late (2025). As well as XO having writing credits on the track, it was also co-written by Charli XCX, Maegan Cottone, Robin Fredriksson, Mattias Larsson and John Ryan, with the latter two handling the production.
| "Real Friends" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by XO | ||||
| from the EP Fashionably Late | ||||
| Released | 17 October 2025 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 2:29 | |||
| Label | Polydor | |||
| Songwriters | ||||
| Producers |
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| XO singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Real Friends" on YouTube | ||||
The song's lyrical content talks about championing the friends who have stayed true to XO when things have otherwise turned sour in their lives. Having recently formed when they recorded "Real Friends", XO billed it a "testament" to their newfound friendships with each other. NME praised the song, calling it a "swaggering and empowered electro-pop anthem", with CelebMix also complimenting the lyrics and production. An acoustic version of "Real Friends" was later released, which received compliments from Fame for the group's vocals.
Background and release
editXO were formed for Polydor Records in late 2024, composed of members Summer Askew, Shali Bordoni, Zoe Miller, Emmy Statham and Reanna Sujeewon.[3] Their debut single, "Lovesick", was released on 19 September 2025.[4] They performed the song on a tour across the United Kingdom, as well as "Real Friends", which was then-unreleased.[5] The song was later announced and released on 17 October 2025.[6] It acted as the second single from their debut extended play (EP), Fashionably Late (2025).[7] An accompanying music video was released alongside the track.[1]
Composition and lyrics
editSimilar to their debut single "Lovesick", "Real Friends" was described as an electropop song,[1] as well as avant-pop.[2] It was initially written by Charli XCX alongside Maegan Cottone, Robin Fredriksson, Mattias Larsson and John Ryan; the latter two handled the production of the song. The demo was offered out to XO, who went in and changed some of the lyrical content to make it more authentic to them.[8] The group found it "hard to wrap [their] head around" having a song co-written by Charli XCX, particularly since they had attended the afterparty for the 2025 Brit Awards, where they had witnessed her win numerous accolades.[8] They also admired having their names credited with her, stating: "in the actual credits, our names get to be by Charli. That's nuts and out there forever now, Charli and us".[8]
The lyrical content of "Real Friends" explores championing the true friends in XO's lives when things in their lives had turned sour.[9] It dissects "an unapologetic message about loyalty, independence, and staying true to your squad".[2] The chorus sees the group confidently sing about their friends having their back "until the bitter end". Having recently formed when they recorded the song, they billed it a "testament" to their newfound friendships with each other.[6]
Critical reception
editNME described "Real Friends" as an "swaggering and empowered electro-pop anthem that champions those who will always be on your side".[1] CelebMix praised the song too, calling it a "slick slice of electro-pop".[2] They felt they could notice Charli XCX's mark on the track due to its "shimmering synths, sharp hooks, and a rebellious streak that turns vulnerability into power".[2] They also complimented the "pulsating production".[2] Fame dubbed it a "full-body empowerment anthem", as well as praising an acoustic version of the track performed by the group, which they felt proved that "the girls' harmonies are no joke".[10]
Credits and personnel
editCredits adapted from Spotify.[11]
- Summer Askew – vocals, songwriting
- Shali Bordoni – vocals, songwriting
- Zoe Miller – vocals, songwriting
- Emmy Statham – vocals, songwriting
- Reanna Sujeewon – vocals, songwriting
- Charlotte Aitchison – songwriting
- Maegan Cottone – songwriting, vocal production
- Robin Fredriksson – songwriting, recording engineer, programming
- Mattias Larsson – songwriting, production, programming
- John Ryan – songwriting, production, programming
- Chris Young – vocal production
- Jay Reynolds – mixing engineer, mastering engineer
Release history
editReferences
edit- 1 2 3 4 "XO share fierce new single 'Real Friends', co-written by Charli XCX". NME. Retrieved 1 April 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "XO continue to push the parameters of pop on electrifying new single 'Real Friends' co-written by Charli XCX". CelebMix. Retrieved 1 April 2026.
- ↑ "Introducing XO with their debut single, 'Lovesick'". Music Mafia UK. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
- ↑ "XO HAVE ARRIVED! Rising Girl Group Make Their Mark With Debut Single 'Lovesick'". CelebMix. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
- ↑ "Fun-loving girl band XO are ready to lift our spirits". NME. Retrieved 1 April 2026.
- 1 2 "XO release their new single 'real Friends'". TotalNtertainent. Retrieved 1 April 2026.
- ↑ "XO share details of their debut EP, Fashionably Late". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 1 April 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Meet XO, the next British girl group gunning for the big leagues". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 13 January 2026. Retrieved 1 April 2026.
- ↑ "XO — 'Fashionably Late': Pop's New Chaos Theory". Fame. Retrieved 1 April 2026.
- ↑ Dee, Vee. "XO Arrive 'Fashionably Late'. And Right on Time". Fame. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
- ↑ "Real Friends - song and lyrics by XO". Spotify. Archived from the original on 11 April 2026. Retrieved 1 April 2026.
- ↑ "New Music Friday: Sam Fender, The Last Dinner Party, Leigh-Anne, Cat Burns and more". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 April 2026.