Real Friends (XO song)
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| "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 | ||||
"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.
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.
XO 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
Similar 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
NME 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]