Frank + Derol

Both members of Los Angeles indie-edged folk-pop duo Frank + Derol grew up in musical families. While Codi Caraco’s next-of-kin played acid-rock, she hovered over the piano, practicing preludes by Rachmaninoff. And Brandi Cyrus is the daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus (and sister of Miley Cyrus). She chose the less zealous life of a tour guitarist. That is until the two came together as Frank + Derol. Their eponymous 2012 EP opens with “Apparition,” a shimmering helping of dream-pop infused confection that radiates with West Coast sunshine. "Lightning + Gold" is a standout gem of pop sophistication where Caraco and Cyrus sing with hypnotic harmonies like little sirens over an anthemic song that’s balanced between the candied synth tones of shopping mall pop and complex, risk-taking musicianship normally reserved for the kinds of band championed by Pitchfork Media. Their lyrics contrast vulnerability with hope here and throughout the Frank + Derol EP, especially in “Barely Love You Too,” a flawless anthem for anyone who has ever had to describe a relationship as “complicated.”