Coming out of Cleveland, Ohio, Frida and The Mann arrive with a sound that feels both intimate and expansive, blending alternative rock and indie pop into something strikingly their own. From the very beginning, the band set out with a clear mission: to make music that feels real. Unapologetic, raw, and emotionally honest, their work pulls listeners in from the first note and refuses to let go.
Formed in mid-2023 in the humble surroundings of a basement rehearsal space, Frida and The Mann began as a trio made up of Frida Mann (vocals), Adam Cramer (guitar), and Zachary Horstman (drums), later completed by Stefan Johnson (bass/vocals). That DIY origin still pulses through their music, but it’s paired with an ambition that reaches far beyond their roots. Fresh off winning Best New Artist at the 2024 Cleveland Music Awards, the band is quickly carving out a reputation as one of the city’s most compelling new acts.
Their sound is best described as alternative, atmospheric pop-rock that hits with both force and vulnerability. Each track feels like a carefully controlled emotional surge, rising and falling like a rollercoaster you can’t help but stay on. There’s an organic quality to their songwriting that makes every moment feel lived-in, honest, and deeply personal.
The band’s new single, “Goodbye”, written and arranged by Frida Mann, Adam Cramer, and Zachary Horstman, captures that emotional core perfectly. Recorded at Lava Room Studios in Independence, Ohio, the track balances space and intensity, allowing Frida’s expressive vocals to sit front and centre as the instrumentation swells around her. It’s a song that doesn’t rush its impact, instead letting feeling lead the way.
Lyrically, “Goodbye” explores the difficult but necessary act of letting go. While Frida and The Mann encourage listeners to find their own meaning in the song, they describe it as a reflection on ending relationships in order to fully accept oneself. It’s about walking away from people who refuse to respect your choices or values, and reclaiming the freedom to grow without compromise. That sense of self-liberation runs through the track, giving it a quiet power that lingers long after it ends.
“Goodbye” is the kind of song that invites repeat listens, not just for its sound, but for how it makes you feel. It’s a statement of intent from a band unafraid to be vulnerable and honest, and a strong indication that Frida and The Mann are only just getting started. Once the final note fades, one thing is certain: you’ll want to dive straight into the rest of their discography and stay there a while.
