IKINÄ’s Millenniaalin Itsehoito opas Epävarmaan Aikuisuuteen – A Raw Punch to the Face
Alright, let me tell ya straight up—this album isn’t for the faint of heart. IKINÄ’s Millenniaalin Itsehoito opas Epävarmaan Aikuisuuteen (yeah, try saying that five times fast) is like a middle finger to polished pop-rock nonsense. Released in 2019 under Sakara Records, it’s gritty, unapologetic, and dripping with attitude. Finland strikes again with something raw and real.
First off, gotta shout out Lauri Hämäläinen—not just on vocals but bass, production, mixing, artwork? Dude did EVERYTHING except play drums (props to Santeri Paju for keeping rhythm tight). This ain’t some corporate factory-line record; this feels personal, like they recorded it in someone’s garage while drinking cheap beer and yelling at each other about life choices. And honestly? That’s what makes it hit so damn hard.
Now, onto the tracks. There are standouts here that’ll slap you awake if you’re not paying attention. Take “Senkin Millenniaali,” for example. Holy crap, this song is FURY bottled up into three minutes of pure chaos. The guitar riffs from Samuli Suokas rip through your skull like a buzzsaw, and Lauri’s vocals scream frustration louder than most people can even think it. It’s messy, angry, and kinda beautiful in its own messed-up way. You feel every word because it doesn’t sound written—it sounds lived. Like, yeah, we’ve all been pissed off millennials drowning in existential dread, right? But rarely do bands capture THAT vibe as brutally honest as IKINä does here.
Then there’s “Ttu Mun Elämä On Jees.” Don’t ask me why it’s spelled weird—that’s part of the charm. This one sneaks up on you. Starts slow, almost lazy, then BOOM, it explodes into this anthem-like banger that grabs you by the throat. The lyrics? Sarcastic AF. It’s basically mocking how everyone pretends their life is perfect when deep down, we’re all secretly losing our minds. The energy shift halfway through is nuts—it’s like the band decided mid-song, “Screw it, let’s go full throttle.” And holy hell, does it work. By the end, you’re either headbanging or questioning your entire existence. Maybe both.
The rest of the album follows suit—tracks like “Ei Oo Helppoo” keep the aggression alive, while “Viinalaulu” throws curveballs with its drunken swagger. Even the mastering by Svante Forsbäck adds weight without losing the raw edge. Every track punches harder than the last, leaving no room for filler crap.
But here’s the kicker: after listening to this beast of an album, I couldn’t help but laugh. Not because it’s funny—but because it’s SO relatable. These guys aren’t trying to reinvent rock; they’re just telling it like it is. Life sucks sometimes, adulthood is overrated, and yeah, maybe we’re all screwed. But damn if IKINÄ doesn’t make it sound badass.
So yeah, check this out if you want music that kicks you in the teeth and forces you to face reality. Just don’t blame me if you start smashing stuff afterward.
