Review Summary: Someday we’ll lay statues of our own…
Independent rock music, like many aspects of our modern lives, has seen stagnation in recents years. It is a true irony given the once exploratory nature that defined the term “indie” has now itself become a pigeon hole for bands that all try to sound different in similar ways. It is a brick path laid by artists as far back as Brian Wilson (Rest in Peace) with a good portion of its footing having been set down by the likes of Bright Eyes, Arcade Fire and many others during the indie boom of the 2000’s. Unfortunately, it seems the path had began to narrow in the 2010’s and, with no new bricks being laid, many artists have turned and headed back towards safety.
Now in the 2020’s, modern day musicians find it harder to distance themselves from their inspirations. How can you set yourself apart from everyone else when everything’s been done? The answer may rest in the hands of two musicians from Chicago who approach the path laid before them with a sincere will to create.
Friko currently consists of guitarist/vocalist Niko Kapetan and drummer Bailey Minzenberger. Their 2024 debut album, Where We’ve Been, Where We Go From Here, has been described as chamber pop-infused noisy indie rock with influences ranging from Chopin to Leonard Cohen to Modest Mouse. Friko proudly wears these influences but what separates them from their contemporaries is earnestness in their songwriting. These influences aren’t a coloring book to fill in but a vehicle to deliver the collective heart of the band members themselves as greatly exemplified in this nine song LP.
The titular “Where We’ve Been” rightfully serves as the band’s intro as Kapetan laments in anguished, Oberst-esque delivery: “Now I don’t know where to go from here,” and “A life of only errands will make a fool out of you.” Similar lyrical themes of helplessness and uncertainty for the future find their way into tracks like “Crimson to Chrome,” “Crashing Through” and “Get Numb to It!” The overall mood of the album seems to revolve around adversity in the modern world and the feeling of wanting more out of life, a mutual struggle by both the band and their generation as a whole.
Despite many comparisons to existing artists, the album never comes across as stale or derivative as the band carefully laces styles appropriately for each track. No one song feels like it runs on for too long nor is any sound used to the point of over-reliance. The delicate, string-laden piano love ballad “For Ella” saunters off into the explosive track “Chemical,” exhibiting a normally jarring juxtaposition of styles that somehow coexist well with one another. The album also exhibits multi-instrumental proficiency on tracks like “Until I’m With You Again,” featuring a bed of mallet percussion and sleigh bells beneath the lightly played piano parts. The standout rock track “Get Numb to It!” brings the energy back around before interluding into the orchestral closer, “Cardinal.” The expanded edition also features six bonus tracks, demos, live performances and an acoustic cover of My Bloody Valentine’s “When You Sleep.”
Throughout the course of Friko’s debut, I never found myself questioning what they’re trying to accomplish. The purpose of this album wasn’t just to show off their musicality, but to introduce the listener to who they are. Transitionally the song styles can be inconsistent, but in this case it feels more appropriately like an exhibition of complex human emotions in song form. In my opinion the best way to counter the perception of creative bankruptcy in music is with earnest songwriting and honest presentation, both of which the duo seem to excel at. This album felt, to me at least, like the band truly put their all in to it, which in today’s day and age is quite refreshing. With a tremendously impressive debut, Friko has told us Where They’ve Been and now we eagerly wait to see Where They Go From Here.
Recommended tracks:
Crimson to Chrome
Crashing Through
Get Numb to It!
Repeat Yourself (Expanded Edition)
