The Capsules—The Long Goodbye

Review by Luis A. Apolaya

Though this soft electronica-influenced indie rock band has a poppy Spongebob Squarepants song to add to its resume, this particular record of theirs does not reflect that kind of happy-go-lucky attitude. Instead one hears an introspective kittenish voice over synths that are never too harsh but also not that adventurous, and sometimes the XX-like guitar strums that reassure the listener that this is in fact indie rock. Sometimes ethereal, sometimes leaning more to the rock side, and a few times a tiny bit annoying. Recommended: 6, 8 RIYL Purity Ring, The XX, M83

1. (4:12) Mid-tempo to somewhat fast, dreamy synths and distant guitar, Purity Ring-like female vox and drums come in after a minute to make whole thing sound more accessible.
2. (3:51) Mid-tempo, soft vocals under electric drums and buzzing synths
3. (4:07) Techno-like synths and rhythm over more assertive vocals, electric guitars add a festival-worthy indie rock feel
4. (4:34) Mid-slow, sad shimmering synths on the background with sad vox in the foreground, feels like how a singing robot might express longing.
5. (4:12) Slow, reminiscent of music used to accompany an exposition about space
*6. (4:09) Mid-tempo, the vocals feel much more appealing here, more space-like synths with assertive percussion
7. (4:33) Distant guitar with soothing distant synths and distant percussion, all so distant and relaxing
*8. (3:23) Eurythmics-esque synths with stomping dance rhythm, actually pretty catchy
9. (4:30) Mid-fast, synths and percussion emanate mid-80s urgency
10. (6:07) Slow, Sigur Ros-esque intro with soft synths and baby glocks, female vocalist is now more distant, after intro it gains a more the xx feel with the guitar and drums
11. (3:44) Spacey synths, another urgent 80s track
12. (6:39) Guitar-heavy intro that tries to sound epic, guitar heavy throughout with lots of crashing cymbals and a distant voice
13. (4:17) Ethereal mid-slow cover of the Gloria Gaynor classic