composure [kuh m-poh-zher] noun.1. serene, self-controlled state of mind; calmness; tranquility:Composure ultimately empowers.By reaching that sphere of serenity and confidence, we can achieve our full potential.Real Friends make a major leap towards this space on their appropriately titled thirdfull-length album, Composure [Fearless Records]. The Tinley Park, IL quintet—DanLambton [vocals], Dave Knox [guitar], Eric Haines [guitar], Kyle Fasel [bass], and BrianBlake [drums]—perfect their patented one-two punch of punk and pop, while penningtheir most personal tunes to date.“We wanted it to be the standout album and literally reclaim our composure,” saysKyle. “In some ways, it felt like we were on autopilot or something until now. We hada conversation. We didn’t hold anything back. We devoted one million percent to themusic, were present, and showed who we truly are.”Following a whirlwind of touring in support of 2016’s The Home Inside My Head, theboys dove into writing a year later. They headed to Los Angeles to record withproducer Mike Green—who helmed a handful of tracks on The Home Inside My Head.Musically, they built on this incredible foundation by pushing themselves as writersfirst and foremost.“For us, it’s truly the definition of a new start,” Kyle elaborates. “We’re not beatingaround the bush. On the whole, we weren’t satisfied with the The Home Inside MyHead. We felt like something got lost along the way. It was a really good lessonthough. So, the songwriting became the focus. We aimed to make the most energetic,dynamic, and catchiest anthems we could.”Despite harnessing instant chemistry with Green, the process presented a myriad ofchallenges as Dan’s bipolar disorder worsened.“Everything was a huge clusterf**k while we were recording,” sighs Dan. “I wasbouncing off the walls and just losing my mind. I couldn’t control myself. It was hardto pin me down in one direction. I was smoking too much weed. I was getting intotrouble. It was a big wakeup call. Everybody finally sat me down and asked, ‘Whatthe f**k is going on with you? We’ve got to fix something here’.”After he finished his parts, Dan found a new psychiatrist in Illinois, received adifferent prescription, enrolled in an outpatient program, and attended group therapyalongside his bandmates. The vocalist openly shared his journey and struggles onsocial media, engendering empathy and eliciting similar stories from the fans. Itstrengthened the Real Friends community in the process and set the stage forComposure.The album’s first single “From The Outside” hinges on an off-time riff that swings intoa confessional chorus as Dan sings, “From the outside, I seem fine. On the inside, I’mstill sick. The pill’s a temporary fix.” Each word immediately connects as the musicreflects a frenetic and fiery feeling.“It’s about the use of medication, how it doesn’t sometimes work out, and the feelingof confusion,” Dan goes on. “The uncertainty can extend to everything in life. Wedon’t always know what’s good or bad for us. We question why we feel certain wayswhen things may seem crazy. In bipolar disorder, untreated mania and depression gowildly out-of-control. With the mania, I feel invincible. On the other end of thespectrum, it’s just the opposite. I think we all share similar feelings.”Meanwhile, “Smiling On The Surface” builds from acoustic guitar into another highenergy chant. The sweeping dynamic underscores a relatable message written byKyle.With many tunes about coming-of-age, the boys tackled another phase of this strugglein the poignant slow burn of “Unconditional Love,” which is “about how we end uptaking care of our parents.”In the end, Real Friends have certainly come full circle, found their composure, andremain ready for their brightest chapter yet.“Emotionally, I hope listeners feel connected to it,” concludes Kyle. “On a gutturallevel, I hope they think it’s our best release so far. That’s what we set out to make.”