Friko Where we’ve been, Where we go from here

Friko hails from the same Chicago scene as like-minded indie rockers Horsegirl and Lifeguard but couldn't be any more different in scope and scale. Bold and wise beyond their years, the duo of Niko Kapetan and Bailey Minzenberger writes nervy, life-affirming indie rock with a baroque bent that begs for a grand stage. Such is their yearning for life and its beauty that their songs of uncertainty and determination resonate with a collective vision, catering more to how it makes you feel than how it feels to them. It's a tall order for a debut album, but Friko does write choruses like “I'm tired, but hey, I'm on fire,” so it's not like they're exactly striving for subtlety here. Granted, the duo balances every big statement with genuinely warmhearted moments. The piano-driven Until I'm With You Again is a good example, which serves as a preamble to the galloping sing-a-long anthem Get Numb to It! Is it precious? Sure is, but does it matter when they have full command of their craft?

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We discussed this record and more in our February 2024 New Music Round-Up. Listen here and please consider subscribing to support the website.