The High Freqs are a five-piece “psychedelic folk” rock band that mixes big melodies with an early ’90s college rock vibe. 

Consisting of Adam Baker (guitar, vocals, harmonica, banjolele, mandolin), Amy Laatsch (keys, vocals, ukulele), Topher Beyer (guitar, vocals), Isaiah Laatsch (drums, cajon), and Chris Olry (bass), The High Freqs bring to mind bands like The Replacements, The Feelies, and the folkier side of indie rock. 

After dropping the single “Norfolk Way” in September, the band has offered up its first EP, Kairos, a five-track collection that offers a wide and varied swath of the sonic territory The High Freqs dabble in. From jangle pop to breathy balladry and classic rock undertones, The High Freqs serve up a little bit of everything. 

“Disorder” opens the EP with touches of The Pretenders and The Proclaimers with Baker’s vocals touching on a bit of Pixies’ Frank Black. It’s a catchy track that brings us into the Americana jangle of “Picnic.” Birds chirp, acoustic guitar strums, and banjo echoes along on this quaint, breezy track. Everything comes together perfectly here. 

“Norfolk Way” is up next, and you can almost see some ancient steel beast exhaling smoke as it makes its way through some hilly, green landscape. Tasteful harmonies come together beautifully, painting a vision of idyllic forests and steam-powered innovation. 

“Old Tricks” is slow movin’. Distorted guitar intermingles with acoustic guitar and electric piano, while “The Snake” closes things out with buzzing acoustics. Mandolin leads the way with this great acoustic track. 

Landing in the same sonic world as other local bands like The Legendary Trainhoppers, Debutants, and Jonah Leatherman, The High Freqs are about jangly rock with touches of psychedelia, folk, and Americana. 

Kairos is a great start for this five-piece.