The Bay Area collective HeyBobby! has dropped their latest offering, ‘Function of Friction’, a single and accompanying video that gives us another peek into their ambitious theatrical world ahead of their debut concept album, ‘The Unclouding of Otilla Vanilla’, set for release in March 2026.
If the previous tracks, ‘Anyone Else But Me’ and ‘Big Shooter’, set the scene for this rock opera, ‘Function of Friction’ turns up the heat, bringing a raw, cinematic edge to their already massive sound. This track is a key moment in the narrative of Otilla Vanilla, a rising singer whose search for connection and identity is already going seriously awry under the watchful eye of the magnetic, yet potentially dangerous, music promoter Vivienne St. Clair, AKA Big Shooter.
The music itself is a powerhouse blend of cinematic rock and layered songwriting. It’s the kind of track that feels designed for a stadium, with a grand scale that lives up to their theatrical billing. It's clear that this is a collective deeply invested in the human element of music—they’re keen to remind us that every part of this project is "Written, performed, and produced entirely by humans. Real instruments, real voices, real emotion." Yet, they’re not shy about embracing innovation, using artistic AI to craft the visual characters and avatars that flesh out this fully imagined universe. This hybrid art form is what makes HeyBobby! such a fascinating proposition; it’s a seamless collision of traditional rock craftsmanship and cutting-edge visual storytelling.
As a piece of the unfolding rock opera, ‘Function of Friction’ dives headfirst into the story’s darker currents. The band shared that the song is about how, "The Big Shooter has a few sexual lessons for the very innocent and naive Otilla," which gives a strong indication of the unsettling dynamic between the two characters. The track’s intense energy perfectly mirrors Otilla’s descent into a world that blurs the line between empowerment and exploitation.
Like a great theatre production, HeyBobby! is inviting us to step inside their world, not just listen to it. The 12-track album promises a full visual narrative, with every song getting its own video episode, guaranteeing that the March 2026 release will be a complete sensory experience. Based on this latest single, it’s a show we’ll be queuing for.
To keep up to date with HeyBobby! on the run up to the new album, be sure to follow them today on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
