The Return of The Fray

Our favorite early 2000s band is back with their new EP "The Fray Is Back."

Photo Credit: David O’Donohue

If you're old enough, do you remember that time when your MySpace profile was a carefully curated collage of emoticons, band photos, and Top Friends? Chances are, The Fray was soundtracking a good chunk of your teenage angst. With songs like “How to Save a Life” and “Over My Head” becoming synonymous with teen dramas and endless car rides, the band carved a special place in our hearts (and iPods). Now, the band is back with a new lead vocalist, a new EP, and a tour, following the 2022 exit of co-founder and frontman, Isaac Slade.

Fast forward a decade or so, and the world has changed dramatically. We’ve swapped MySpace for Instagram, traded skinny jeans for the baggiest pair we can find, and graduated from teenage bedrooms to grown-up apartments. But there’s something undeniably nostalgic about the return of The Fray. It’s like reconnecting with an old friend who’s matured into someone equally familiar and fascinating.

Their recent comeback has been a whirlwind. A new EP adequately titled "The Fray Is Back," a revamped lineup, and a tour that’s sending us into a collective state of euphoria. It’s a testament to the enduring power of their music that we're still here, eager to sing along to every word.

"The Fray is Back. Our first release in over ten years, will be all yours on September 27 alongside a full US tour. Head to the link in bio to pre-save. We are back, let’s go!" (from The Fray's Instagram)

The Fray’s music has always been about more than just catchy melodies. It’s about those raw emotions, the ones we try to bury deep but inevitably resurface. Their songs are the soundtrack to heartbreak, hope, and everything in between. And that’s why their return feels so significant. It’s like having a trusted confidante back in your life, ready to walk you through whatever you’re going through.

“I used to live in L.A. and went back to visit and ended up spending a morning walking around my old neighborhood,” says King, who now lives in Nashville. “All these memories came flooding back to me, and at some point I looked down and saw the words ‘new beginnings’ painted on the sidewalk—it felt like some sort of sign, and the song started to come together from there.”  – Joe King, co-vocalist and guitarist.

Of course, times have changed. We’re not the same people we were when we first heard “How to Save a Life.” We’ve grown, learned, and evolved. But the core of who we are remains the same. And in a world that’s constantly changing, it’s comforting to have something familiar to hold onto.

“There’s no way for us to make the first album again, because we’re not the same people anymore—so much time has passed, and so much life has been lived,” says Wysocki. “But what we can do is stay open and keep paying attention to the world around us, and hopefully create something meaningful for all the people who care about this band as much as we do.” – Ben Wysocki, drummer.

The Fray’s music is that familiar constant. It’s the song you blast when you’re driving alone, lost in thought. It’s the anthem you sing with friends at a karaoke night. It’s the melody that brings back memories of high school dances and first loves.

So, welcome back, The Fray. Your music is as relevant as ever. And we, your eternally grateful fans, are ready for this next chapter.