Friko – Something Worth Waiting For

Running through Friko’s new album, Something Worth Waiting For, is a steadfast faith: faith in a light at the end of the tunnel, a belief in an unknown but rewarding destination. The project follows the Chicago indie rockers’ acclaimed 2024 debut, and is inspired by the relentless motion of their world tour. With its momentous, thrashing crescendo, opener Guess sets the pattern for the tracklist, which the band tear through with abandon, in contrast to their more measured debut.

The euphoric energy is most infectious on the madcap Choo Choo, which blends humour and frenetic excitement, with the band chanting train noises as the track lurches between tempos. Still Around is a Strokes-indebted rocker, pulsing with pent-up energy, while Hot Air Balloon is an arena-ready anthem.

Occasionally, the band’s ambition can lead to the project feeling weighed down by its own extravagance. Seven Degrees is a heartfelt Beatles-esque ballad, the stirring modulation going into its middle eight showcasing the classic songwriting influences soaked into the album. By key change three, your tolerance for theatricality may be tested, but Friko’s affinity for arresting melodies makes every twist and turn genuinely exciting and, with its wild, youthful spirit, their second record is the perfect soundtrack for the open road.

Listen to: Still Around, Choo Choo