Friko Share For Ella Video
As a “writer” I probably throw comparisons around more often than I should, but when I listened to this new Friko track, I was immediately transported back to the first time I heard Elliott Smith. Musically, it’s a bit different, though I think Smith would have appreciated the sweeping string arrangements that factor into the song’s emotional appeal. For me, it was Niko Kapetan’s voice, calling me with this light whisper that transports melodies on the faint breeze; it’s gentle qualities offer this supreme intimacy that I hope I share when I sing my kids to sleep. This is a special one my friends; the band release Where We’ve Been, Where We Go From Here in February via ATO Records.
As we closed out the year and wrapped coverage in December, one artist hit me with several memorable songs and left a lasting impression going into 2023. Chicago based Sofia Jensen, and her recording project 
I’ve come to realize that I’ve always been a bit of a pop fan, and as much as I’ve tried to deny that, it’s always come back to the fact that I can’t steer clear of hooks. That said, I’ve grown to love searching for those hooks in distorted realms, built on textured guitars and heavy atmospherics, much like the world