Taste the sweetness of seduction through resounding sound profiles and ear-catching concepts, because we’re sure you’ll be having nothing but a good time with “Vice Market” — the rigorous nature of everything in this record will keep anyone intact and wanting more. If you enjoy artists such as The Romantics, Arctic Monkeys, or even The Young Veins, keep reading.
Captain Mantis is a Mexican band making themselves known one song at a time, starting with their earlier releases, “Which One of Us” and “The Game” released in 2020. This August, they’re gracing the platforms again to showcase their vintage yet modern twist on rock with their EP, “Vice Market”.
One thing for sure is that this band will get you hooked right off the bat without even trying. “Moonshine Alley”, the first song off the record, seems isolated yet it is well-supported at the same time, making it sound as though the guitar riffs and sequences are in-depth in themselves already. For first time listeners, they get the chance to hear the rawness and grittiness of the vocals, something you’d expect in a rock band. This song quite literally paints you a picture of what goes on within an alleyway with its dark, midnight feel.
Slightly contradicting the previous track—for the first few moments, anyway—”Simon Frost” introduces every component one by one, followed by a subtle tempo change which is a snappy, funky beat. It’s reminiscent of rock classics, with the guitar solos crisp and resounding, as if it has its own personality. It’s also a worthy entry to being the next iconic song with a name for a title, the next Jolene or Billie Jean, if you will.
“Galatea” withholds a sense of intricacy with the guitar work, and in this particular track, the vocals have a certain charm in them that is bound to remind you of The Smiths. It’s intimate yet whimsical and toned down. This song stays in its space, as there’s no switch up or clever turning point, just a moment of tranquility.
Last but not the least, the title track “Vice Market” incorporates a surf rock vibe. For a six minute song, you won’t ever get to feel a sense of dullness, because every second will either have you immersed in the vocals, or enthralled by the confident strokes of the guitar or the dialect changes.
All in all, this moment of experiencing Captain Mantis’ musicality is short-lived, because after the fourth and last track, all you want is more. It’s remarkable how their music will allow you to recall familiar favorites, but these songs specifically have their own appeal and modern take. “Vice Market” is an EP worth listening to and repeating, hands down.
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About the Author
A psychology major with a knack for music and writing. Mostly indulges in alternative rock, indie, and pop punk.
