by Corinne Schiavone
If you were lucky enough to be of college age in the 2010s, you were lucky enough: synth pop filled the airwaves and your iPod headphones. Groups like Passion Pit, The Naked and Famous, and Foster the People weaved emo lyrics with hopeful melodies suitable for stargazing and air-punching simultaneously.
STRFKR (the disemvoweled version of their original, profane moniker) didn’t quite reach the fame-and-fortune heights of some of their peers but absolutely stood on the same tier, musically. Joshua Hodges founded the group in Portland, Oregon after he decided to make, in his words, “dance music you could actually listen to.”
They debuted in the bloghouse days and gained wide exposure thanks to a Target commercial in 2009 using “Rawnald Gregory Erickson the Second,” a two-steppy jaunt from STRFKR’s self-titled debut album. The follow-up, Jupiter, featured a cover of “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” which truly did justice to the Cyndi Lauper original. It’s become a staple of their live performances, where they’ve arguably outshined their recorded music. Dedicated fans can attest that every STRFKR show is a grand, boppy time, with colorful lights that spin and twirl overhead while the band digs into its grooves.
Followups Reptilians and Miracle Mile showed their synth-y musical prowess, and their sound took a more brooding and introspective turn with Being No One, Going Nowhere. Released during the Covid-19 pandemic, Ambient 1 embraced a calmer instrumental side that emerged when shut-ins were the norm.
STRFKR’s most recent effort, Parallel Realms, is them coming out of their pandemic shell. Although the essence is still synthpop, their indietronica roots shine through, with breakup ballads and existential tunes fit for the 2020s. “Always/Never” masquerades as a bright and shiny opener until an uncertain lyric takes hold: “I want some way to feel again/I wanna live in another time/With my back up against the wall.” But even in the midst of the self-doubt and longing, the upbeat electric guitar and keyboards will remind you who you’re listening to and make you smile.
STRFKR plays 7pm Saturday, April 19 at the Miami Beach Bandshell. strfkr.com ~ Olivia Feldman
