It’s been a minute since Frankie Cosmos released a full album. Greta Kline’s output is always prolific in some form, but Different Talking feels like a real return to the core of what made early records like Zentropy or Next Thing resonate. That said, I’ll admit I sort of fell off after Close It Quietly. The songwriting always has charm though - and the run time is no-nonsense. With most tracks hovering a bit over the 2 minute mark, the tracks jump right in. Couple that with the fact that the band recorded in house, lived together, and had no outside production help - and we've got a gloriously punk-in-spirit record.
Her voice is always comforting and enchanting. It gives the whole record sketchbook of internal monologues tone. Musically, it strikes a balance somewhere between bedroom pop and Velvet Underground sidewalk strolls. Fans of Soccer Mommy, Snail Mail and even something like Duster would feel welcomed here. I've always placed Frankie Cosmos as a band that would have a 45 on early K Records. It’s an album that doesn’t really push any big new boundaries, I don't think that’s the point. It’s modest, well-crafted, and quietly confident. A good one for walking around your neighborhood, half in your head.