Album Review: Frankie Cosmos - Fit Me In
By Carly Preston, Contributor
[Bayonet; 2015]
Rating: 3/5
Key Track: “Young”
After the success of their debut album Zentropy, Frankie Cosmos returned to the studio with new members and a new sound.
In 2016, Greta Kline and her backing band of three will release a new full-length, but for now, Fit Me In serves to represent the direction their sound will take in the future. Having lost two previous members after the release of Zentropy, the New York band’s music was primed to head in a new direction.
This EP may be a bit surprising to older fans. It offers a fresh, synth-heavy sound that was not present much, if at all, on Zentropy. However, the EP is similar to a very recent release from past Frankie Cosmos member Aaron Maine, a.k.a. Porches. These two EPs both show new and fresher sides to these bands with already distinct styles. All of this change has come on the heels of the success of Frankie Cosmos keyboardist Gabrielle Smith, a.k.a. Eskimeaux, and their first album O.K., an album praised for its dark lyrics and a sound that encompassed synth and folk-like harmonies. It’s clear these three acts feel inspired and challenged by their friendship.
The EP starts off with “Korean Food,” a track that could please indie folk lovers and ‘80s synth pop fans alike. The lyrics are simple and clever, and it serves as a quick introduction to the future of Frankie Cosmos. “Youth,” the standout track on the EP, is the song most listeners will keep coming back to due to its soft yet dark nature. The lyric “I heard about being young / But I’m not sure how it’s done” cuts deep for any struggling millennial.
Fit Me In then transitions into its worst track, “O Contest Winner,” a dreadfully boring rehashing of the album’s first track. It is just a slow two and a half minutes of generic synth beats that drag on and on.
Fit Me In ends with “Sand,” a sweet and energetic track that the EP desperately needs. It is fun and catchy, but only accounts for 49 seconds of the runtime. Although it’s a nice, upbeat way to end the EP, the length may leave the listener dissatisfied.
Overall, Fit Me In is a solid transition for the band. Although it may not quite live up to the standard set by their earlier work, it shows growth on behalf of Kline and indicates the act will not continue to be known for one specific sound.
