4/5 Stars
Wave to watch: Smoke & Mirrors
Genre: Indie Pop
Goes great with: Foster the People, Passion Pit, Phoenix
With not only a packed touring schedule, but also an ever-growing fanbase, Captain Kidd have managed to compose a quartet of psychedelic, yet danceable, jams on the independently-released EP,
Good Life. After an appearance at this year's Firefly Music Festival, which draws the likes of indie heavyweights (Cage the Elephant, The Killers) and Sir Paul McCartney himself, the Columbus by way of Cleveland five-piece are kicking their 20-something gears into motion by hypnotizing the college town that has been so integral in paving their past - and more current - successes.
After 2014's eponymous EP made waves around the Midwest, the band teased at new material with "Good Life", a single released earlier this year. It's the summer song that somehow ends up getting played at all times of the year, even when the neon lights have all burnt out. Phoenix-esque offbeat synths hum under carefree lyrics ("It's the good life/And it doesn't mean anything") and tapping drums.
These new songs are a little less eclectic of a bunch, but are even more raw and refined. The entrancing, tripping "Summer Dress" is a touch more seductive while purring, "nice to meet you/what's your sign".
"Dreamachine" is the softest, floating in the gossamer spaces around it. The breeziness is reminiscent of MGMT's more tender side, providing a backdrop for every 2 a.m. fast drive past busy sidewalks.
With its New York funk rock feel, "Smoke & Mirrors" carries the EP upon its concise, but mighty, shoulders. Behind more buzzing synths, trendy guitars impel the party to go on and the floor to bounce under the weight of dripping college kids.
The band may be saying, "let's take it slow", but with
Good Life, they're cruising coolly down the Ohio freeways once again.
Good Life is now available for listen on
Spotify,
YouTube &
SoundCloud
//Angelia//
+listen
