Chicago-based indie rockers Friko have officially announced their highly anticipated sophomore album, “Something Worth Waiting For”, set to arrive on April 24th via ATO Records. Following the massive critical success of their 2024 debut, which earned them a spot on “best-of” lists from Pitchfork and NME, the band has teamed up with Grammy-winning producer John Congleton (St. Vincent, Angel Olsen) at his Los Angeles studio. The new record promises a bold expansion of their sound, weaving together influences ranging from avant-garde classical to noise-rock and ’70s symphonic ballads.

Drummer Bailey Minzenberger reflected on the liberating nature of the new recording sessions:

“On our first record we were much more involved in the technical aspect of everything, but this time John made it clear that he wanted us to just come in and do our thing. I think that allowed us to let go in a way that we never had before, and because of that we captured something very raw.”

The announcement is accompanied by the lead single “Seven Degrees,” an anthem that leans into the band’s more ecstatic, “sing-along-ready” side. The track is paired with a music video produced by Infinite Dog (MJ Lenderman, Geese) that explores the niche world of RC cars. By letting go of the technical minutiae that defined their first record, the quartet, comprising Niko Kapetan, Bailey Minzenberger, Korgan Robb, and David Fuller, aimed to capture a more uninhibited and raw performance this time around.

Vocalist Niko Kapetan shared the lighthearted origin of the lead single’s title:

“For a long time I thought the saying was ‘seven degrees of separation’ and not ‘six.’ There’s a lightness to that song but really it’s about connection, and trying to stay close to the people you care about.”

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