Colin 
Holly Nicholson starts 2026 by cutting straight to the nerve. ‘i forget we’re friends’, released on 9th January, takes the familiar friends-to-lovers tension and refuses to soften it. The song sits in that uncomfortable space where feelings feel obvious, unsayable, and impossible to shake, and it leans into every part of that discomfort.
The track has already built a reputation as a fan favourite through sell-out shows and a UK tour, and it is easy to hear why. From the first moments, the song carries a sense of urgency. Angsty guitars push against bright synths, while relentless bass lines keep the tension tight. Nothing here feels distant or held back. The sound matches the subject, restless and emotionally loaded.
Holly has spoken about the song arriving in a single burst of writing, and that immediacy comes through. The lyrics feel unfiltered and direct, capturing the feeling of falling for someone who feels right emotionally but wrong in every practical sense. It is the kind of love that stays locked inside because too much is at risk. That restraint becomes the song’s emotional core, growing heavier as the track unfolds.
Vocally, Holly sounds raw and exposed. Her delivery carries frustration, longing, and a quiet sense of isolation that never tips into melodrama. Instead of chasing polish, the song prioritises honesty. That choice gives the track weight and makes it feel deeply personal while remaining easy to relate to.
There is also a clear shift happening here. Raised on bright 80s melodies and shaped by modern pop storytellers who lead with honesty, Holly has been steadily carving out a sound that blends edge with vulnerability. ‘i forget we’re friends’ feels like a step toward claiming that space fully. The guitars bite harder, the emotion cuts deeper, and the songwriting feels more settled in its own skin.
A sharper edge and a clear direction
This song sneaks up on you. ‘i forget we’re friends’ does not arrive shouting for attention. It pulls you in slowly, then sits right on the sore spot. By the time it ends, it feels like it has said something you did not realise you were holding onto.
What I love most is how little it tries to impress. The track does not chase big moments or dramatic payoffs. Instead, it lives in the tension and lets it stay unresolved. That choice makes it feel honest and strangely comforting, like someone admitting a feeling you thought you were alone with.
Holly’s vocal is the glue here. She sounds grounded, frustrated, and completely present. Nothing feels performed for effect. Every line feels chosen because it needed to be said, not because it sounded good on paper.
If this is the emotional lane she is heading down, her next EP is going to hurt in all the right ways. ‘i forget we’re friends’ feels like the kind of song people build quiet, lasting connections with, the one you come back to when the feeling hits again.
You can follow Holly Nicholson over on Instagram and you can pre-save ‘i forget we’re friends’ here.
Photo Credit: Gracie Hall