[2] The song was released via Joytime Collective and Asylum Records on February 9, 2018, as the fifth single from Anne-Marie's debut studio album, Speak Your Mind (2018).

[3][4] "Friends" was the ninth best-selling single of 2018 with sales of 9.6 million track-equivalent units according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI).

[6][7] Fond of the remix, Anne-Marie wanted to collaborate with Marshmello, and eventually they met in a studio in London, where production of the song commenced.

Kat Bein of Billboard described the song as a blend of a wide variety of genres, writing: "The English singer delivers a bossy performance that would put any dog's tail between its legs, while Marshmello plays clever on acoustic guitar over a bumpin' electronic beat and even works in some G-Funk, West Coast synth work.

"[16] Caitlin White of Uproxx called the song "a banger" that reaches "the level of unescapable that I most closely associate with the first time I heard The Chainsmokers wobbly pop ballad 'Paris'", stating that Anne-Marie "strikes the perfect balance between disdain and aggression".

[17] James Shotwell of Substream Magazine wrote: "'Friends' finds Marshmello abandoning the world of EDM for a far more traditional pop sound that perfectly pairs with vocalist Anne-Marie's entrancing croon.

"[18] Brad McCrea of iHeartRadio deemed the song a combination of "strong dance beats" and "pop vocals from Anne-Marie".

[24] On March 7, 2018, Marshmello and Anne Marie joined to perform the song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

[25] The pair also performed a medley version of "Friends" alongside the single "Happier", with British band Bastille, at the 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards on November 4, 2018.