Friko offers yet another surprise early 2024 hit in the Chicago indie trio's debut LP
Just when I think I have the upcoming release schedule down, another band comes through with a debut LP that was nowhere near my radar prior to release. This time, I'll be sharing my thoughts on Chicago trio Friko and their wonderful LP 'Where we've been, Where we'll go from here'. 2024 is quickly shaping up to be the year of the impressive debut record, eh?
It's pretty evident from the first moments of Friko's debut LP that they are pulling from a wide range of inspirations. The first three tracks alone have shades of mid 2000's indie rock, emo, shoegaze, and post punk mixed with some Radiohead-esque melodies and vocals that bring Conor Oberst to mind at first listen. It's all a really well mixed and masterfully crafted blend of styles that result in a record that feels fresh, dramatic, and cohesive.
Production wise 'Where we've been, Where we'll go from here' is noisy, raw, and bass forward without sounding unpolished or too amateur to hurt the listening process. It's a solid sounding record that fits the the musical themes pretty well for the most part. The songwriting is varied and dynamic enough that you hardly even notice the 9 track runtime passing by. 'Crashing Through', 'Chemical' and closer 'Cardinal' are great examples of their dynamic style of songwriting, and are each highlights in their own unique regard. It's best experienced listening front to back, and that's a real testament to the songwriting and performances at play.
Friko have definitely made a pretty wild first impression with 'WWB, WWGFH' and I'm definitely adding them to my rotation going forward. While the brief 9 track record may seem short at first glance, it's such a smooth and cohesive record that it is an easy recommend regardless. Give it a listen if you want to experience a brand of rock that has a sound all its own.
Standout tracks: Crashing Through, Chemical, Statues, Get Numb to It!, Cardinal
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