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Writer's pictureCanis Lewis

EP Review: Captial X - EFGH


DAN NARKOSIS ABJECT TERROR REVIEW ALBUM ELEKTRO VOX

One of my absolute favourite live acts returns with a vengeance! This Capital X release follows on from ABCD with Julz and Ruth aiming to smash away at the alphabet with something quite different genre wise with each letter. This small yet might release has a couple of dancefloor bangers and a lot of impressive skill!

Here's an interview with the duo at Infest 2023


 

The CX EP release series continues with ‘EFGH’,

delivering another straight-from-the-shoulder eclectic collection for dark dancefloors everywhere. With a loud and graceful refusal to conform to genre, Capital X’s alternative electronics are showcased across another 4 driving and dynamic cuts. The tracks build strongly on Capital X’s varied sonic output to date, with trademark heavy drum loops and grinding bass layered with expansive stacked vocals and punchy hooks.

 

1. Ever: a club banger for darkened dungeons, an invitation to skulk with the vermin in the dirt of the underground forever

 

2. Fear: drum & bass drenched in rain and reverb, capturing the clarity of a violent confrontation with reality

 

3. Gaol: a serene moment of intense reflection, an ode to the comfort in knowing that life itself exists and that there is always light after dark

 

4. Hunt: an urgent post-punk-witch-house-inspired shout to the hunted masses; don’t follow who they tell you to, don’t let them in, keep watching

 

Fresh from an explosive performance of selected tracks at Germany’s 2024 NCN Festival, the full EP will be premiered live at Capital X’s first ever show in Slovakia at Malý Berlín, Trnava on September 20th. Capital X offer a storm of heavy live electronics with a hard-hitting delivery, powering through the repertoire to bring it to life. Since the start of the EP release run in 2023, CX has debuted live in Mexico, Sweden, France and Belgium, and delivered strobe-laden festival sets for the likes of NCN, ElectriXmas, Ratrock and InFest. Capital X continue to build on their impassioned energetic presentations with the likes of Zanias, Karin Park, Curses, Sydney Valette, Akala, Lene Lovich, Kelli Ali, Sierra and Gary Numan and a range of remix collaborations with Maethelvin (Valerie Collective), Steve Bond (Chikinki), CJ (The Wildhearts), Vice Squad and Dame Bonnet (Curses live). Tracks are accompanied as always by Capital X’s own strong imagery, present throughout their bold visual output.

 


 

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Review


'EVER' greets us with a great little electro loop and a seductive vocal undertone contrasted by the lyrics of rats, perhaps not in the literal sense though..

I attract rats and I follow them too Claws on the tarmac teeth on bone I attract rats and I follow them too Do you wanna come? ‘Cos they wanna bring you

So a bit of interpretation for the listener as the lyrics progress. (With the last verse being damn catchy) This energetic funk track puts me in mind of tearing around a race course and then tearing around a bedroom with someone; vibing with an air of taboo and the throwing of caution to the wind. It's fun and a bit filthy! 'FEAR' is quite the banger. Once this track kicks in it hits you with some great dancefloor grooves with an ideal mix of bass and electronic atmospherics that progresses to melodic synths with sheer brilliance and ease. Anyone can dance to this, and if they say they can't, they're lying. It's a great body mover.

'GAOL' takes a turn to the more chillout side of electronic, this one seems almost spiritual with it's hints of darkwave and ethereal chant. There is a lot of layers to this flowing around one another which would usually make for an overwhelming listen, yet Julz and Ruth have managed to make this as audibly stimulating as it is relaxing, quite the feat to achieve with the sound mediums used. Deeply impressed with this one! 'HUNT' is my favourite track on this release. It feels like a speed-run through a retro action game of epic proportions. The chorus is catchy and serotonin inducing. The tempo keeps up the whole way through with some damn great electronics and loops making this one a new dancefloor filler contender for sure! In fact, I'm gonna add it to one of the event sets I'm playing soon. I would absolutely love to see Captial X throw the energy they commanded at Infest 2023 in to this track live at another event soon because damn! - This is fierce and empowering!

Conclusion

Julz and Ruth are a storm of new ideas and fresh fury to the alternative scene. EFGH brings a real sample palette of why Capital X are so damn good and deserve to hit stages everywhere. From the ethereal 'GAOL' to the fierce action 'FEAR', Capital X stand stronger than ever with a cry of 'NOW HEAR THIS' and hear this you all damn well should!


Thank you!

 

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