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From college buddies to breakout musicians, Frankie Cassidy and Nathan Ross have taken their joint musical project, Buffalo Traffic Jam, to unfathomable heights in just two years. After packing out the Mercury Lounge and a post-show jam at the trendy Houston St. bar Fool’s Gold earlier this year, the duo quickly upgraded and played an extremely sold-out two-night run at Irving Plaza this past September. During a post-show meet, they divulged exciting news (still embargoed, but worth the wait!) regarding their 2027 summer schedule that caused this writer’s jaw to drop from the balcony to the floor below.  

Also on the docket for 2027 is their Pictures of You Tour, which was sold-out two hours after onsale. The tour is, of course, in support of their debut album of the same name that has spawned critically acclaimed singles like “Fool’s Gold,” “I Don’t Care,” and its title track. 

Their latest single, “Barely Holding On,” had been included on their setlist for this past run, with the band looking to prototype the tune for fans ahead of release. Starting as a twinkly piano-based ballad before rather quickly devolving to their traditional indie folk thumper style, “Barely Holding On” serves as a natural melodic and conceptual progression from past BTJ work. 

The emergence of Ross’ structured banjo line, made directly present around the :50 mark, majorly assists in the song’s atmospheric development. Of course, the instrument is used frequently within their growing catalog, but its usage here was well-executed and correctly curated.  

Written about the slow yet daunting feeling of falling out of love, Cassidy wrote the song while on a short trip home amidst the band’s hectic year of touring and recording: “Your face used to be beamin’, now you’re looking for a reason/ Barely holding on.” In a statement, he expanded on his thought process, explaining that the message goes beyond musings of losing interest in a romantic partner, but one’s own livelihood: “Not being home with friends and family has been a foreign concept to me until recently,” he said. “’No matter how put together something may seem, at the end of the day, we’re all ‘barely holding on.’”

A visualizer for the track, serving as a short tour film of sorts, is available as a direct accompaniment to the track. In an attempt to mask the vulnerability factor of the song’s messaging, the video showcases the band and their crew in their best spirits from their time on the road. 

Listen to "Barely Holding On" below: