Frankie Cosmos: Different Talking [Album Review]

Frankie Cosmos
Different Talking 
Sub Pop Records [2025]

“Short songs, big feelings—Frankie Cosmos sharpen their sound without losing the softness.”

Album Overview: Different Talking is the sixth album from Frankie Cosmos, the long-running project led by Greta Kline. What began as intimate Bandcamp uploads in her teens has grown into a full-band effort with its own sonic identity. While those early recordings helped usher in a wave of lo-fi bedroom pop, Different Talking feels like the work of a more seasoned and self-aware artist. Written and self-recorded in a shared home environment, the album has a calm intimacy, with lyrics that explore transitions, memory, and the messy process of becoming. There’s no forced nostalgia here—just clear-eyed reflection. With 17 tracks clocking in at just 38 minutes, the album moves quickly, with compact songs that flow into each other like entries in a journal. The result is personal and emotionally open, with flashes of humor and moments of quiet grace.

Musical Style: The sound of Different Talking is crisp but unshowy, blending indie rock with subtle synths and the occasional twangy flourish. The arrangements feel thoughtful but unfussy—tight rhythm work, warm melodies, and a sense of space that keeps things from feeling cluttered. Earlier Frankie Cosmos records leaned more minimalist, but this one expands the palette without losing the intimacy that made Kline’s songwriting resonate in the first place.

Evolution of Sound: This is the first Frankie Cosmos album that the band produced and recorded entirely on their own, and you can hear the cohesion in every corner. The DIY approach doesn’t mean lo-fi, though—it’s more about control and comfort. There’s a sense of ease and connection between the players that gives the record its understated charm. Different Talking isn’t a return to basics or a drastic reinvention—it’s a continuation, just more refined, more lived-in.

Artists with Similar Fire: If you’re into the emotionally observant songwriting of Lomelda, Shana Cleveland or the gentle introspection of Florist, you’ll like this record. There’s also a kinship with Hovvdy’s low-key narratives and the soft-focus surrealism of early Belle & Sebastian. The fuller sound might also click with fans of Snail Mail, Alvvays, Mitski, or even Aimee Mann, especially when the melodies open up and the lyrics go inward.

Pivotal Tracks: “Vanity” is a standout, with its floaty structure and instantly catchy chorus—one of the album’s most replayable moments. Opener “Pressed Flower” sets the tone, blending memory and self-awareness in a way that feels both intimate and universal. “Bitch Heart” explores texture and timing, showing how tight the band has become as an ensemble. “Life Back” provides a flicker of light near the end, hinting at personal release without tying everything up too neatly. Together, these songs form a kind of emotional roadmap through the record’s shifting terrain.

Lyrical Strength: Greta Kline’s writing has always been emotionally sharp, but here she trades some of her earlier irony for something more grounded. These songs feel less like confessions and more like quiet conversations—with herself, with time, with old versions of who she’s been. Her lyrics aren’t about giving answers—they’re about recognizing patterns, missteps, and growth. The result is a set of songs that feel lived-in, relatable, and surprisingly hopeful.

Final Groove: Different Talking doesn’t shout for attention, but it rewards repeat listens. It’s a record built on nuance and emotional detail, from the tight band interplay to the lyrics that echo long after the songs end. While it doesn’t reinvent the Frankie Cosmos formula, it refines it in meaningful ways. For longtime fans, it’s a comforting continuation. For newcomers, it’s a good entry point. Either way, this album proves the band is still evolving—quietly, confidently, and completely on their own terms.

FRANKIE COSMOS REVIEW HISTORY
Next Thing (2016) / Fit Me In EP (2015) / Zentropy (2014)

FRANKIE COSMOS LINKS
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | Sub Pop Records