The Kings Of Dubstep Return
Posted October 08, 2015
By SarahFine_NRT, Staff Reviewer
Jon White and Cole Walowac-- best known as remix duo Capital Kings-- splashed onto the scene with a nearly flawless debut back in 2013, and they fast made a name for themselves not only in the Christian market but also in the electronic dance world. Known for their slick sounds, heartracing synthtronica and delicious dubstep drops, fans of the Gotee Records signed band gobbled them up instantly, and it wasn't long before they found themselves crowned EDM royalty.
Following three years of ceaseless touring is new album II, Capital Kings' long awaited sophomore release, which firmly establishes their unshakable reign on the genre.
The Sick Drops:
"Afterlife" (and the pulsating intro that precedes it) knocks you off your feet right from the get go. Scintillating and vocally layered, this is Capital Kings back at the top of their game.
Though it comes off as sonically repetitive, "Into The Wild" is an irresistibly catchy dance track that will instantly win over fans of the group's first album, ringing true to their electronic sensibilities while still throwing in enough of a pop gloss to go down smooth.
"Live For The Drop" is hands down the strongest song on the album and my personal "can't stop hitting repeat" track. Full of gritty edge, it shows a musically evolved Capital Kings and a darker EDM side to their unique sound that I hope to see further developed as time goes on.
The Dub-Missteps:
Though there are a handful of highlights on this record, there are also enough missteps to make me as a listener a tad frustrated.
There are moments on II when the duo seems unsure if they want to stand apart or follow a standard. Granted, while I don't think they will ever fully be relegated to the later goal, AC palatable songs like "Forever" and "Into Your Arms" offer some confusion.
"Fireblazin" with Chris Tomlin proves this point well. Worship and electronic music are two entities that deserve to meet and married well, but when it becomes an awkward marriage blending what wants to be one thing with what wants to be another thing, it can feel a bit out of place. It's a great song, as they all are, just a bit lost in its own skin.
Closing Thoughts:
It's a mixture of highs and lows. While I feel as if Capital Kings' II displays some weaker songwriting than their previous album, musically, I couldn't be more impressed. Time touring in the trenches around artists such as TobyMac and Britt Nicole have done the two a world of good in helping to capture their sound, and as time goes on, I can only see it getting better and better. This is an overall successful album and one of the strongest in the EDM vein I've heard all year.
Song To Download Now:
"Live For The Drop" (Get it on iTunes here.)
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