Friko, the duo of vocalist/guitarist Niko Kapetan and drummer Bailey Minzenberger who emerged from the same Chicago scene as Horsegirl and Lifeguard, are gearing up to release their debut album in February, and ahead of that they’ve taken stock in 2023 and listed their favorite albums of the year for us.
Niko and Bailey, along with bassist David Fuller, each gave us three albums, with commentary, and a collective Best Album of the year as well. Their choices include Caroline Polachek, Sufjan Stevens, Feist, and more. (Niko’s list included a couple from last year, too.) Check out their list below.
Friko’s debut album, Where we’ve been, Where we go from here, is out February 16 via ATO and you can listen to a few songs below.
FRIKO – FAVORITE ALBUMS OF 2023
Band favorite: Paramore – This is Why
This album feels like a perfect callback to their heavier beginnings; a wonderful swirl of ‘After Laughter’ pop and ‘Riot!’ grit. There are so many moments in this album that are easy to freak out over…
Favorite songs from This is Why:
“Running Out of Time” – David
“Big Man, Little Dignity” – Niko
“You First” – Bailey
INDIVIDUAL BAND MEMBER PICKS:
NIKO (Guitar, Vocals)
Black Country, New Road – Ants From Up There (2022)
BCNR’s EP was some of the best art rock I’ve heard in a long time and this record made me fall in love with them. Amazing arrangements, lyrics, songs, everything.
Nilüfer Yanya – Painless (2022)
The moods that Nilüfer can convey on their songs especially on this record are magical.
Sufjan Stevens – Javelin
Sufjan’s been one of my favorite songwriters since I heard Illinois for the first time in middle school. To me this record sounded like classic Sufjan with all the little bits and pieces you’d want out of one of his records.
DAVID (Bass)
Headache & Vegyn – The Head Hurts But the Heart Knows the Truth
This would’ve been my entire personality in high school/early college — imagine if Boards of Canada put out a record with Spike Jonze.
Nourished by Time – Erotic Probiotic 2
Pure 30 minutes of magic — “Shed That Fear” specifically will probably become one of my favorite songs ever. Beyond it being personally touching, it sounds like the best Arthur Russell song we never got.
Caroline Polachek – Desire, I Want to Turn Into You
The obvious answer, for obvious reasons. This’ll be recognized as one of the singular best records of the 2020s — it would be too early to say that about any other record, but not this one!
BAILEY (Drums)
Fran – Leaving
I went through multiple periods this year where I listened to this album on repeat. This record is filled with amazing tones and space. Even in its heavier moments, there is a delicate feeling flowing throughout. This is a perfect record to fully sink into; I’ve had many long drives to it this year.
Feist – Multitudes
I was a little late in the game to becoming a Feist fan. I found a Let it Die CD at a thrift store for $1 a few years ago and had it on repeat for months… I was immediately taken with “Love Who We Are Meant To” when it was released before the album earlier this year (I knew I was going to love this song by the 3rd chord)… This album is a gorgeous mix of energetic bursts, inviting drops, and vocal beds.
Honestly Same – Hot Plate Only
Chicago is such an incredible place to be for instrumental / experimental music. This record is a textural wonderland; it is immersive, hypnotic, meditative… An amazing accompaniment to a long walk. The cellist in this group, Lia Kohl, put out another one of my favorite records this year: The Ceiling Reposes.
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