the capsules - Northern lights and southern skies

The Capsules

Northern Lights and Southern Skies
Vespera Records; 2013

4.1 out of 5

The Capsules are a band that just took me by surprise. When I pressed play I wasn’t expecting to hear so many elements that drew me to music I gravitate towards. Their latest release “Northern Lights and Southern Skies” is full of loops, synths, various electronic elements and angelic, pristine vocals provided by Julie Shields. For those of you who maybe unfamiliar with The Capsules they are seasoned pros who have shared the stage with The Flaming Lips, Garbage, Low, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Pinback, Juliana Hatfield, and The Mountain Goats but I would have to say that I can’t make comparisons to any of them. If anything the band reminded me of one of my favorites bands “The Chromatics”. That being said I feel The Capsules aren’t as afraid to use distortion and complex rhythms to further their palette.

For example the song “Our Apocalypse” has distorted electronic beats and synths covered in white noise while Julie Shields belts outs “no slowing down” in the chorus. “Across the Sky” which contains a simple yet effective electronic drum pattern and arpeggiated synths moves forward with optimism as the lyric “I know that you’ll always find me” is repeated. The Capsules have a created a remarkably good, cohesive album that may very well end up on a lot of people’s top ten lists. I know I for one am going to have a hard time putting this one down.

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