From fronting St. Louis rockers Broken Toyz as a teenager to hitting MTV with KINGOFTHEHILL’s glam-rock anthems, Frankie Muriel has never played it safe. Now, at this stage of his career, he’s stepping out under his own name for the first time, and frankly, it’s about time.
“Like fine wine, some voices only get better when they’ve weathered a few storms.”
His new album, “I’m Still Standing,” feels like a guy who’s finally comfortable in his own skin. The nine tracks draw from Muriel’s life: the good, the bad, and everything in between. The album kicks off with the title track, which is part gospel, part rock anthem, all heart. Muriel’s voice sings about weathering storms and keeping his feet planted firmly on the ground.
When Muriel sings about his late mother on “Home,” you’re hearing a son who misses his mom and has found a way to honor her memory. The same goes for “Crazy,” his joyful ode to fatherhood. These aren’t just songs; they’re basically snapshots of his own life. The production throughout keeps things focused on what matters: the songs and Muriel’s voice. When “Sweet Surrender” builds to its gospel-backed crescendo, it earns every note. “Those Were the Nights” gets you nostalgic for your own wild days.
Muriel’s reworked version of “If I Say” strips away the original’s glam-metal coating, revealing the strong song underneath. The brand-new version sounds deeper and more meaningful. Muriel can deliver a heartbreaking ballad like “Home” and follow it up with something as purely fun as “Crazy” without missing a beat. He’s equally convincing whether he’s celebrating love, mourning a loss, or just reminiscing about better times. That’s the mark of an artist who’s learned to trust his instincts.
The whole thing clocks in at a tight nine tracks, which feels just right. Every track serves a purpose in telling the larger story of strength and growth. By the time the album wraps up, you get the sense that this is just the beginning of a new chapter for Muriel, not some final statement. He’s not looking backward with regret or forward with desperation. He’s just present, in the moment, doing what he does best. And what he does best, it turns out, is create music that connects.
“I’m Still Standing” is an honest album from an honest artist. Muriel has made an album that reminds you why you fell in love with music in the first place.
Muse Chronicle 
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