Friko Leave You Breathless on Where we’ve been, Where we go from here

Frédéric Chopin is considered one of the greatest composers and pianists of the Romantic period—an era in which music was characterized by intensely emotional compositions, stark dynamic contrast and rich melodies. Chopin’s piano compositions in particular are widely revered for their deeply expressive and emotive qualities. His famous nocturnes meander in their poignant depth, spurring an intangible melancholy that carries itself with you.

Taking inspiration from Chopin and the ethos of the Romantic era, Chicago indie rock band Friko craft music of pure feeling. Vocalist and guitarist Niko Kapetan states that, to him, solo piano music and heavy rock evoke the same sentiments. Their debut album, Where we’ve been, Where we go, from here taps into that innate emotion that comes with human connection, as well as the desire for something more. This heightened level of sensitivity and genuine care warms the tracklist, guiding listeners through this stunning debut.

Comprised of drummer Bailey Minzenberger and Kapetan, Friko formed in 2019 and cut their teeth in the eccentric Chicago DIY scene, amongst peers that include bands Horsegirl, Free Range and Lifeguard. Kapetan and Minzenberger were both raised in families that cherished music and surrounded them with environments where they could interact with musicians from a young age. After self-releasing their 2022 EP Whenever Forever, the band signed to ATO Records and readied themselves for the release of their debut.

Where we’ve been, Where we go opens with “Where We’ve Been,” a rapturous and all-consuming track that grows and extends feverishly. Lively, full-sounding percussion and stirring vocals lift the track into a grandiose release of sound that relishes in its own catharsis. The lyrics describe a universal sense of hopelessness and how we may find relief in others. “And your teeth hurt more than the day before / It’s time to get another job/Four feet between a wall and window make your wife a widow, oh / So throw your arms around me,” sings Kapetan on the chorus. The album moves at an unexpected pace, transitioning from visceral high-energy tracks to subdued ballads seamlessly. Friko’s penchant for theatrical emotion makes these adjustments feel natural and warranted in context of telling the greater emotional story of the album.

The band is known for their spirited live performances, a quality that pervades the unrestrained anthems on the album. “Crashing Through” whips listeners into a rowdy and distorted introduction saturated with ringing guitars and pounding percussion; Kapetan’s subdued vocals feel whispered in the verses, creating an effect of distance and aloofness that contrasts the noisy and unbridled instrumentals at the beginning and end of the track. Raucous and jeering guitar riffs conclude the track, appearing in red, incendiary bursts similarly to the end of “Statues,” in which the hard-hitting track falls into a gritty cacophony of distortion and noise.

Likewise, “Get Numb To It!” sprints forward into an energetic indie-rock groove driven by lightly textured guitar and speedy percussion. Over the rowdy instrumental, Kapetan sings “And it doesn’t get better / It just gets twice as bad, because you let it / So you better get numb to it / Get numb to it!” When recording this track, Kapetan and Minzenberger sat on dual pianos in the same room, pounding them relentlessly to get the correct tone for the track.

Additionally, Friko excels at crafting dulcet ballads that blossom under poetic lyricism and entrancing instrumentals. Following the turbulent “Crashing Through,” the album segues into “For Ella,” an intimate ballad inspired by Kapetan’s visit to a graveyard in Wisconsin. Twinkling piano chords intertwine themselves with waves of delicate violin and cello provided by musicians Macie Stewart and Alejandro Quiles. Kapetan describes Ella in his quaint vocal performance, singing “Ella, Ella you’re a shooting star / A floating ballerina through the yard / Ella we’ll remember who you are / Love for you is always in my heart.”

Tracks like “Until I’m With You Again” and “Cardinal” exude patience and care through their soft instrumentals and sentimental lyrics, creating a palpable affection. The lush arrangements of strings and piano feel suspended in time, lacing together the tender notions of the romantic era with modern inspirations of Chicago indie-rock.

“Cardinal” closes out the album on a raw and introspective note, blurring the lines between recurring motifs of hope and loss. Friko intuitively reach into a place of struggle, crafting a portrait of familiar grief and the non-linear endeavor of getting better. Patterns of intricate guitar and orchestral strings provide a pensive canvas for Kapetan’s lyrical ruminations on getting through the worst days. He asks, “Then the evening came, and punished me / The cardinal hit the ground / Someone else, instead of me / Figured it all out / Niko where’s your fight now?”

Where we’ve been, Where we go from here leaves you breathless, and the duo’s unbridled approach to songwriting and instrumentation creates striking and emotive tracks that expand lavishly. Kapetan and Minzenberger’s impressionistic lyricism paints intimacy as bare feelings, emulating the relentless passion of their favorite romantic composers. On their debut, Friko have cemented themselves as one of the most distinguished up-and-coming voices in all of indie-rock.

Read our profile on Friko here.