I thought about starting this review with a bit about the death of rock in aggregate, but that seemed hackneyed. Then, I wondered about the tragic beauty of the classic Midwestern rock band, but that felt cliched. Next, I tried writing about the emptiness of “indie” as a musical concept, but no one really wants to have that conversation. Finally, I struggled to assemble a few sentences about yet another guitar rock revival, but that came across as the inverse of my first idea.
But then it hit me: Just talk about Friko and the band’s rad music.
When I wrote about Where We’ve Been, Where We Go From Here in 2024, I raved about the Saddle Creek-meets-Midwest vibes. The emotional honesty on display made me happy and hearkened back to the heartfelt music I enjoyed in my early 20s. Suffice to say that I was very excited to watch the band tour relentlessly over the past two years as they showcased their very Chicago brand of indie rock.
With Something Worth Waiting For, the fully formed quartet ramps up the earnest intensity of their debut album and adds in several hearty doses of nuance and dynamics. Released on ATO, the Bright Eyes and Cursive energy still run amok, but by injecting heaps of Son Volt, Pavement, and Rilo Kiley, Friko gives itself space to flex its songwriting chops. I’m talking about garage rock, bar rock, introverted folk rock, and anthemic choruses overflowing with presence.
The nine-song record resounds with the rich familiarity of sharp pop songcraft.
The lyricism and arrangements developed by Niko Kapetan evince a deepening level of compositional acumen that reaches across multiple genres while still feeling authentic. Moreover, the guitar work of Kapetan and Korgan Robb feels lived-in, as the acoustic guitars sound like campfire sing-alongs and the electric guitars brim with fuzzy warmth. I especially love the evocative bass work of David Fuller, as it fills out the low end while also flexing some nimble counterpoint style. The drumming of Bailey Minzenberger is exceptional, as it rests in a clean pocket while reveling in a shambolic clatter.
The romantic whimsy of “Choo Choo” could feel gimmicky, but the lyrics are far too resonant for that: “I wish I took the train today / I wish I took it almost every day / I’d take it far away.” Taking the Kevin Bacon concept one step further, “Seven Degrees” speaks to the unfathomable burning in a long-distance relationship: “I’m counting out the days you see / Yea I’m counting out the days till we meet / And I’m so excited / But we’re souls divided.” The title track then takes that sentiment and loads it up with the fervor of the eventual in-person reunion: “And someday we’ll lay statues on this / Dirt beneath our feet / We’ll be running circles round them / Just you wait and see.”
The big-picture appeal of Something Worth Waiting For rests in the clarity of its vision and execution.
Friko possesses an artistic maturity that I find refreshing and illuminating. On one hand, they showcase a lovely appreciation for restraint, as their music could become too twee, orchestral, or chamber for its own good. On the other hand, they know exactly when and how to get loud, as befits the best and brightest sensitive rockers throughout history. The band absolutely kicks ass, and I can’t wait for what they do next.