The long wait is over for Friedberg fans: Hardcore Workout Queen, the band’s debut album, has finally dropped, and it's bursting with the eclectic sound that has already earned them a fervent following. Released via Clouds Hill and introduced live at London’s legendary 100 Club, Hardcore Workout Queen marks a pivotal moment for the group, showcasing their growth and sonic exploration since forming in 2019.
Credit: Lewis Vorn
Friedberg, fronted by Austrian-born Anna Friedberg, brings an infectious blend of psychedelia, dance punk, and alt-pop into their sound, creating what is described by Anna herself as "an endless road trip, with no destination" and listening to Hardcore Workout Queen feels just like that—tracks ebb and flow with an open-road energy.
With ten tracks, including fan favourites like 'Hello', 'My Best Friend' and the powerful title track, Friedberg pushes their creative boundaries by adding 'Venice 142' and '100 Times', both fresh additions that exemplify the group’s sound evolution. While 'Venice 142' breezily captures a laid-back West Coast vibe, '100 Times' dives into synth-laden territory with a darker edge. 'Better Than We Are' brings a punky punch, while the final track, 'Pull Me Off The Passing Line', leaves listeners in a transfixing afterglow, wrapping up the album with an air of reflective intensity.
One of the standout tracks, 'So Dope' comes as both the latest single and an introspective critique. Inspired by the trio's Californian road trip, the song balances an upbeat sound with a pointed takedown of social media superficiality—a theme that feels timely and personal. As Anna explains, track serves as a counterpoint to the album’s title track, embodying the voice of a “Hardcore Workout Queen” in a social media world. It’s a reminder of the pressures of perfectionism and how hollow such facades can be, a message that Anna sums up with a thought-provoking question: "What is your legacy?”
This album follows a year of energetic live performances that included SXSW, Great Escape Festival, and opening for indie heavyweights like Placebo and Giant Rooks. Friedberg has clearly taken in the energy of these shows, delivering Hardcore Workout Queen with the intensity and cohesion of a band that has lived through their sound on stage.
Formed with London/Berlin-based members Emily Linden (guitar, vocals), Cheryl Pinero (bass, vocals), and Fifi Dewey (drums), Hardcore Workout Queen cements their place in the indie scene, delivering an album that sounds like the soundtrack to both a party and a reflective solo drive.
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