Indie rock duo Niko Kapetan and Bailey Minzenberger have released their first finished record as Friko. After their “Burnout Beautiful (Demos)” dropped in 2019 indie fans around the Midwest have been anxiously waiting for more music from this eclectic duo. Last month the Midwest scene was blessed with Friko’s debut release “Where we’ve been, Where we go from here.” This record brings together elements of indie rock, post-punk, and experimental rock creating unique instrumentation that stunningly frames Niko Kapetan’s heart wrenching vocals. “Where we’ve been, Where we go from here” is an emotionally poignant record that curates a deep seated melancholy after every listen.

Track one “Where We’ve Been” combines anxiously driven lyrics with an awe inspiring instrumentation that will rock the listener. “Where We’ve Been” opens with Kapetan singing over a beautiful guitar melody. It effectively eases the audience into the song, luring them in with a subtle sharp build up of what’s to come. Kapetan’s lyrics reflect a worry of having spent too much time doing nothing. Framed perfectly by a somber acoustic guitar giving weight to Kapetan’s anxious lyrics. The climax of the song is a mix of Kapetan wailing into the mic as distorted instrumentation creates a tumultuous mix. Suddenly returning to the beginning of the song, leaving the audience to sit with the chaos they just experienced. In just five minutes “Where We’ve Been” acts as a fiery whirlwind perfectly introducing the audience to the record.

The first three tracks of the record create this raucous feeling of uncertainty that contrasts so heavily with track four “For Ella.” Following an explosive introduction to the album, “For Ella” pulls the audience from the ledge and processes the whirlwind with a tear jerking orchestral ballad. A heart wrenching piano melody emphasizes Kapetan’s breathy voice as orchestral strings wail on top of the melody. “For Ella” is a love ballad that represents the grounded reality of love. The pain that comes from love, no matter what kind, is a reality that can be taboo to talk about. Yet, Friko puts the focus on this pain, driving home the idea of constant love no matter what, even when things fall apart. “For Ella” pushes aside the worries of life to focus on matters of the heart, in this incredibly melancholic ballad.

Track eight “Get Numb To It!” is the noisy encapsulation of the entire record. An explosive song all the way through with bouncy guitars and raucous drumming, frames Kapetans cries of getting “numb to it.” The instrumentation drowns out the listeners thoughts, overwhelming them and representing the feeling of being lost in life. The track ends beautifully with a raw studio version of the chorus for “Where We’ve Been.” The rawness exemplifies the sinking feeling found throughout the entire record.
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“Where we’ve been, Where we go from here” explores deeply introspective ideas of one’s worth in life, through contrasting, but emotionally provocative instrumentation and vocals.