Friction

I think literally friction refers to entropy, which you simply cannot fight. Figuratively it can be any struggle that seems impossible. The listener is supposed to identify w/ the struggle, while being told to "ease it off", which creates a sort of pleasant dissonance. I don't think you are meant to actually "ease it off" in this context.

To me, It makes me think about a controlling person always striving to be the first. But then people put them in there place, so now they panic about loosing and not being the greatest, I also do think it could be about axienty like other comments say. But I think it could be my opinion because of some lyrics.

“You know you gotta get out of the middle and drive to the top now”

“When you made it, won’t ya tell me what to do. Cause I’m playing it all wrong”

But this is just my evidence. I’ve been with many controlling people before. And they always describe everything like how they need to be first and how they want things a certain way and how they have to be better than any other person. They have to be first in everything, and sometimes they got to get in there place. But if y’all have any other interpretations please tell me :)

[Edit: Forgot a word]

Honestly, I think this song is about putting too much pressure on yourself to succeed and be the best. I think the chorus is a response to the question "tell me what to do, cause I'm playin it all wrong"

Sometimes you just gonna take the pressure off yourself and be okay with your best not always being enough. Anxiety and depression can make this extremely hard.

"Oh why can’t you let go Like a bird in the snow This is no place to build your home" I think this specifically is about trying to make something work (overextending yourself for a job, degree, or person for example) when all you're doing is making yourself miserable for little to no payoff.

"And get into the system We both know you need one The tip of the needle Is taking over you" This part I'm less sure about, personally I relate to it in needing to have structure and asking for help. The needle part could be about getting on meds or coping with stress in unhealthy ways.

[Edit: Adding something]

This song is about anxiety and panic attacks, the "friction" being anxiety in general or the feeling of panic.

I personally believe that this song is about depression and/or anxiety. The bad sings about not wanting to settle with it, but it feels impossible to fight. The "friction" is anxiety and/or depression.