Cage The Elephant - ‘Neon Pill’ review
Cage The Elephant by Neil Krug
On 17 May Cage the Elephant shared their sixth studio album Neon Pill. The album showcases the group's ongoing development and experimentation in the rock genre. The Kentucky-based group, well-known for their upbeat shows and varied sound, offers a collection of work that skillfully balances social commentary, musical variety, and contemplation. With 12 tracks in less than 40 minutes, Neon Pill captures the spirit of a band that defies categorisation with a blend of cheerful choruses, melancholic ballads, and everything in between. Safe to say the band is exploring different types of instrumentals and sounds, and it is a joy to listen to.
"HiFi (True Light)," the album's first track, instantly establishes a summery vibe with its shimmering orchestration and appealing choruses. This song represents a change towards a refined indie-pop style, departing from the gritty, more aggressive tones of their previous work. It's a breezy, energising beginning that eases listeners into the wide range of sounds on the album.
As you delve deeper into the album, you come across tracks like "Rainbow" that truly stand out. This song beautifully combines introspective lyrics with a funky beat, creating a unique blend of introspection and groove. The heartfelt emotions expressed in the lyrics resonate deeply, making it a powerful and moving experience for the listeners.
"Neon Pill”, the track that gave a name to this album, explores themes of reflection and escape. Matt Schultz's voice embodies the song's introspective quality with eerie, personal tones. The song's lyrics go into the theme of looking for peace and understanding in an often confusing and overwhelming environment. Lines like "Swallow down the neon pill / To find some peace, to feel fulfilled" evoke a sense of yearning and the struggle to find balance in the chaos of modern life.
Another noteworthy aspect of "Neon Pill" is its production. The group has created a sound that is both new and classic by successfully fusing aspects of their polished, modern sound with its garage-rock heritage. In one of the album's most sophisticated tracks, the use of subtle electronic touches and layered harmonies is noticeable.
"Metaverse" is notable for its garage-rock vibe, which is evocative of bands from the early 2000s like The Strokes. This song, which goes on for little over two minutes, is a powerful burst of rock 'n' roll intensity, complete with snappy rhythms and driving guitars. It serves as a reminder that while experimenting with more refined sounds, Cage the Elephant is still capable of crafting unadulterated, emotionally charged rock songs.
It appears that the album’s most emotional track is "Out Loud," a piano-driven song honouring the father of the Schultz brothers. The song offers a very intimate and moving moment on the album, departing from the band's customary rock-centric approach. Here, Matt Schultz's vocals are especially eerie, evoking a sense of contemplation and sorrow. This song provides proof of the band's ability to genuinely convey emotional depth in their music. And allows listeners to have a small overview of what their grieving process was like.
The song "Ball and Chain" blends aspects of sophistication and joy with an addictive bassline that propels the song along. The band's musical coherence is demonstrated by the way the instruments interact to produce a complex tapestry of sound. This song is a standout, demonstrating the group's talent for writing catchy, energetic rock songs.
"Good Time" is an additional song that experiments with opposites, with a blend of upbeat choruses and menacing passages, punctuated by jagged guitar lines. The song perfectly captures the paradox of life by fusing joyful times with ominous undertones. "Good Time" is one of the more intriguing songs on the CD thanks to Matt Schultz's cryptic lyrics.
Songs like "Shy Eyes" and "Same" continue to go further into a variety of musical settings as the album goes on. The band's former aggressive spirit is revived in "Shy Eyes" with loud, fuzzed-out power chords and thumping percussion. This track, which embodies the band's signature frenetic energy, is guaranteed to be a favourite in live performances.
"Silent Picture" and "Same" at the conclusion offer the ideal combination of light, breezy summertime sounds, highlighted with cold guitar tones. These songs provide a break from the album's more dramatic sections and help to maintain equilibrium. They set the stage for "Over Your Shoulder," the album's conclusion, which has a softer vocal style and a slower tempo. This last tune closes the album on a sombre mood and gives a grounded feeling of finality.
On Neon Pill, Cage the Elephant look inside, expressing more than ever some personal topics and feelings. The group has blended their blues and garage origins with a more polished, indie-pop sound to produce a coherent body of music that sounds both familiar and new. It shows that, even after over 20 years together, the band are still prepared to take chances and change.
Finally, Neon Pill is a worthy addition to Cage the Elephant's career, demonstrating their adaptability and desire to venture into uncharted musical ground. The album has enough to offer both die-hard fans and new listeners with its blend of energetic choruses, poignant ballads, and experimental compositions. The album's emotional depth and musical diversity make it a worthwhile listen for anybody interested in the changing sound of current rock music.
Neon Pill from Cage The Elephant is out now via RCA Records and available on all good streaming platforms.
