Solarize

This article is about the Capital Cities album. For the photographic effect, see Solarization (photography).
Solarize
Studio album by
Capital Cities
ReleasedAugust 10, 2018
Recorded2015–2018
GenreSynth-disco
Length50:00
Label
Producer
  • Ryan Merchant
  • Sebu Simonian
Capital Cities chronology
Swimming Pool Summer
(2017) 		Solarize
(2018)
Singles from Solarize
  1. "Vowels"
    Released: September 16, 2016
  2. "My Name is Mars"
    Released: March 30, 2018
  3. "Venus & River"
    Released: July 13, 2018
  4. "Levitate"
    Released: July 20, 2018
  5. "Just Say When"
    Released: July 26, 2018
  6. "Space"
    Released: August 2, 2018

Solarize is the second studio album of American indie pop duo Capital Cities, released on August 10, 2018, under Capitol Records. It was preceded by the 2017 EP Swimming Pool Summer, of which five of the tracks were integrated on this release.[1] The album includes a collaboration with Rick Ross, who had previously expressed an interest in signing the duo before the release of their debut album In a Tidal Wave of Mystery in 2013.[2]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[3]

Neil Z. Yeung of AllMusic wrote that the "sun-washed set of futuristic synth-disco positively shimmers, providing an ideal soundtrack to smooth romancing and sweaty body-moving", finding it to be "less indie-precious" than their debut album and that it "smooths the digital edge of their early sound in favor of warm tones, hypnotic beats, and a focus on a full album experience as opposed to a collection of singles".[3]

Track listing

All songs written and produced by Ryan Merchant and Sebu Simonian, except where noted.

Solarize track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Space" 3:04
2."Swimming Pool Summer"Merchant, Simonian, Tim Pagnotta3:32
3."My Name Is Mars" 3:11
4."Venus & River"Merchant, Simonian, Sam Hollander3:05
5."Levitate"Merchant, Simonian, Marcos Kostenbader Valle, Paulo Sergio Kostenbader Valle3:10
6."Drop Everything"Merchant, Simonian, Simon Wilcox3:10
7."Just Say When"Merchant, Simonian, Rodney Jerkins3:11
8."Girl Friday"Merchant, Simonian, Rick Ross3:05
9."Gatekeeper Julie" (featuring Jim Svejda) 2:53
10."Only If You Want It" 3:32
11."Drifting" 3:16
12."Sunburn Surrender" 3:11
13."Vowels"Merchant, Simonian, Brett McLaughlin, Jamie Michael Robert Sanderson3:04
14."Good Enough" 2:18
15."Girl Friday" (featuring Rick Ross) 3:07
16."Swimming Pool Summer" (HCSRS Remix) 3:58
Total length:50:00

Personnel

  • Sebu Simonian – vocals (tracks 1–14), programming (tracks 1–12, 14)
  • Ryan Merchant – vocals (tracks 1–14), programming (tracks 1–10, 12, 14), guitar (tracks 3, 11), bass (tracks 3, 11)
  • Jim Svejda – voiceover (track 9)

Additional musicians

  • Aaron Prather – drums (tracks 2, 7)
  • Nick Merwin – guitar (tracks 2, 7, 13)
  • Will Artope – trumpet (tracks 2, 6–8, 13)
  • Artyom Manukyan – cello (track 2)
  • Manny Quintero – bass (tracks 2, 7–8, 12–13)
  • Sacha – rap vocalist (track 3)
  • Jacob Scesney – saxophone (tracks 4, 10)
  • Adam Friedman – bass (track 5), guitar (track 5)
  • Justin Thomas – vibraphone (track 7)
  • Anna Margo – vocals (track 8)
  • Krikor Sarafian – guitar (track 8)
  • Channing Holmes – drums (track 12)

Production

  • Sebu Simonian – production
  • Ryan Merchant – production
  • Adam Friedman – co-production (track 3), additional production (track 5)
  • The Ceasars – co-production (track 6)
  • Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins – co-production (track 7)
  • Sermstyle – additional production (track 13)
  • Serban Ghenea – mixer (track 13)
  • John Hanes – assistant mixer (track 13)
  • Andrew Mendelson – mastering (tracks 1–12, 14)
  • Mike Marsh – mastering (track 13)
  • João Lauro Fonte – artwork

References

  1. ^ Williams, Andrea (November 30, 2018). "The Comeback of Capital Cities". WERS. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  2. ^ Taylor, Jodi (October 6, 2017). "Rick Ross Wanted to Sign This Indie Pop Duo Before They Were Everywhere". Coveteur. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  3. ^ a b Yeung, Neil Z. "Capital Cities – Solarize Album Review". AllMusic. Retrieved June 7, 2023.


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