An eclectic success, Captain of the Football Team represents the sophomore album from Brooklyn-based artist Subway Rat, the project of David Polanco. An invigorating, hooky assortment of power-pop, rock, pop, and hip-hop compels throughout ten tracks, ranging from the...
An eclectic success, Captain of the Football Team represents the sophomore album from Brooklyn-based artist Subway Rat, the project of David Polanco. An invigorating, hooky assortment of power-pop, rock, pop, and hip-hop compels throughout ten tracks, ranging from the raucous rock energy of opener �Outta Town� to the synth-pop movements within �Nostalgia� and the hip-hop rhythmic engrossment of �Queens Kids.�
�Outta Town� provides a burst of rock energy to kick the album off, echoing an early �00s indie-rock nostalgia in the guitar tones, also evident on �Lost Without U� and �Summertime.� �Give me a chance, I want to mend it,� the vocals plead on �Outta Town,� acknowledging a role in heartbreak. �I ran you outta town,� the chorus exudes, enamoring with a snappy guitar-fronted energy and reflective bass-y suaveness. An approachable rock success depicting relatable impacts of relationship misunderstandings, �Outta Town� gets Captain of the Football Team into enjoyable motion, while the ensuing �Hope!� continues the thematic grip in strong fashion; the vocals repeat �I hope you don�t forget me,� alongside a similarly rock-forward aesthetic for a replay-inducing impact.
�Crazy� launches a stream of differing aesthetical pursuits. The production here drives on a jumpy, throbbing bass line alongside string-laden elegance. �I don�t need a girl who knows how to pose for a picture,� they sing alongside captivating momentum, traversing into the catching �I�m still crazy for you,� hook. The production reminds fondly of Future Islands� inventive rock/pop balancing act. �Queens Kids� furthers the stylistic mish-mashing, weaving hip-hop rhythmic influence alongside a lush acoustical gliding and lyrical reflections on what-could-have-been (�they could have had blonde hair like their mama.�) Reminiscing on childhood experiences further the heartfelt imagery and emphasis on connection and friendship/family.
�Moon� and �Corner Caf� follow with an alt-rock and power-pop accessibility, with the latter letting out �those were the good old days,� in continuing the preceding themes of reminiscing and pining for things left behind. Thereafter, �Nostalgia� is among the album�s melodic standouts, again reminding of Future Islands in the multi-layered enthusiasm apparent in the vocal hook, amidst heavy bass pulses and glimmering synth injections. �Modern Lovers� closes the album while musing on �the fate of modern lovers,� continuously running from each other and �not even sleeping in the same room.� The infectious rock arsenal and lyrical wit continues here; there isn�t a weak moment on Captain of the Football Team, a definitive success from Subway Rat.
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