When you’re coming home on the late train from NYC after seeing a shreddingly fucktastic rock show (Band of Skulls, more on that later), changing gears to an act like Capital Cities is jarring. It’s sweet to chew on and gives you all kinds of giddy feels. It may have been exhaustion that made us giggle like schoolgirls at “Vowels,” the latest from the smooth dancing duo Capital Cities, but, well, the chorus is a bit silly. And infectious. And genius. It won me over fast. 

It’s been three years since these guys released their debut – In a Tidal Wave of Mystery – the album that produced the immortal pop grooves of “Safe & Sound.” (No, really. I thought that song would never die. I imagined it lingering on commercials and radio waves like a musical zombie coming back for more no matter how many times it was bludgeoned.)

Though “Vowels” doesn’t have any tangible edge to it and seems like a safe radio hit (which believe me, it will be), it’s entirely irresistible. If you’ve seen Capital Cities live before, you can already see their choreographed magic that will make audiences lose minds. You can certainly call it a shtick, but they do what they do well, filled with enthusiasm, energy and contagious dance moves (they’ll even teach you, mid show!).

All you need is a single little slice of that chorus: “A-Aaaaaa. O-Ooooo. E-eeee. Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh”

You’re done. We’re all done.