Dominic Fike’s “14 minutes” is an indie summer soundtrack essential, with movie-worthy highs and sounds that are guaranteed to stick with each and every listener. Spanning a perfectly concise 14 minutes across eight tracks, this album’s only flaw is that it leaves you craving more. In order, the tracks “megaman,” “hi grace,” “1.23.23,” “THICKRICK,” “bowie box,” “misses,” “to say to say,” and “coast2coast” each offer a unique glimpse into Fike’s vibrant summer world. 

With jutting production and vocals, “14 minutes” feels all over the place in the moment, but reveals itself as one cohesive body of work in retrospect. When listening to this album, I couldn’t help but think that if it was performed by anyone else, it wouldn’t have been half as good. The sound jumps from eager and soft to in the moment and nonchalant, yet lassos into a singular cohesive feeling that resonates uniquely with each listener.

My favorite feeling I get when listening to a new album is being transported to a new place. “14 minutes” does just that; a sunlit bedroom with Fike playing the guitar near an open window and a road trip on a coastal highway with three friends by your side. The album seamlessly transitions between these vivid, sunlit scenes, encapsulating the essence of summertime.

From the sweetness of songs like “bowie box,” and “1.23.23,” to the joyousness of songs like “hi grace” and “coast2coast,” this album is a staple for every romanticized teenage summer experience. It feels like the one person you met on a beach vacation that you just can’t get out of your mind. 

When I first started listening to Fike with his previous album, “Sunburn,” I had trouble fully embracing and understanding his unique sound. However, “14 minutes” proved me wrong, igniting a newfound captivation and eager anticipation to delve deeper into Fike’s earlier work, which I dont think I’m feeling alone.

Tracklist

megaman
hi grace
1.23.23
THICKRICK
bowie box
misses
to say to say
coast2coast