Review
Alright, let's dive into the delightful chaos that is "In a Tidal Wave of Mystery" by Capital Cities. This debut album is like walking into an indie pop candy store! Released on June 4, 2013, under Capitol Records, these guys truly bring out the weird and wonderful with their unique blend of synth-pop, indie vibes, and alternative dance anthems. Ryan Merchant and Sebu Simonian, the dynamic duo behind this masterpiece, met through a Craigslist ad and initially worked on jingles before hitting the jackpot with this album.
Can we talk about "Safe and Sound"? It's like biting into neon gummy bears! This track was a global sensation, landing on numerous charts and setting the playful, high-energy tone for the entire album. Then you've got tracks like "Kangaroo Court" and "I Sold My Bed, But Not My Stereo" keeping the dance vibes strong and your toes tapping till they practically fall off.
The eclectic mix on this album is wild in the best way possible. Imagine a smoothie made with ingredients from MGMT and Giorgio Moroder, then topped with a sprinkle of funky creativity courtesy of André 3000 on "Farrah Fawcett Hair." With Merchant and Simonian doing their magic as writers, composers, and producers, the production of this album is pretty sleek across the board, even if there are one or two tiny bumps in quality—it’s all part of the charm.
"In a Tidal Wave of Mystery" lives up to its intriguing title, cribbed from their own magnetic "Safe and Sound" lyrics. This is a collection of alt-dance jams that swirl together rock, pop, and electronic elements into a harmonious sonic cocktail. For fans of synth-heavy dance tunes, this debut is pure fun and sends Capital Cities flying into the stratosphere of cool-kid music. - Tegan
