Wow wow wow. Absolutely loving this new electropop by L.A. group Capital Cities (is it just me or does it seem like suddenly the City of Angels has this amazing scene out of nowhere?), a band whose name I’d seen only in passing thanks to their buzz single “Safe and Sound” and very odd pop cover of Pink Floyd‘s “Breathe,” featuring a posthumous Tupac of all things.
“Kangaroo Court” is an immediately addictive tune that by all rights should be one of the break-out hits of 2012. Danceable without being obvious, intelligent while still being amazingly fun and catering to the mainstream, simple without sacrificing creativity… the song is just so damn memorable that it might just appear in my dreams tonight.
And just when you think that the best part is past — “the judge” who tells the singer “c’est la vie!” — the song busts into a horn solo that adds an entirely new element to it. That certifies the likely Top 20 Songs of 2012 ranking for this one. You’ve gotta hear it — and download it below, since like many of the best new artists, Capital Cities are wise enough to give away their music for free.
I also transcribed the lyrics for interested parties, and you can find them after the song. Enjoy!
Capital Cities – “Kangaroo Court”
Capital Cities – “Kangaroo Court” lyrics
There’s a dark part of town
Where the girls kick down
And I cannot wait for a chance to go
Wait for a chance to go
I’ve got my bad luck shoes and every excuse
To dance these blues away
Ain’t coming home
I ain’t coming home
Chorus:
Shut up, shut up, shut up
Sit up, sit up, sit up
It’s a kangaroo court
A kangaroo court
Shut up, shut up, shut up
Sit up, sit up, sit up
It’s a kangaroo court
A kangaroo court
In a dusty room I come to assume
That I’ve been doomed
To lose my mind tonight
To weak to fight
So I try to save face and I rest my case
The judge pulls me aside, says, “C’est la vie
Let your darker side come out to feed”
Chorus:
Shut up, shut up, shut up
Sit up, sit up, sit up
It’s a kangaroo court
A kangaroo court
Shut up, shut up, shut up
Sit up, sit up, sit up
It’s a kangaroo court
A kangaroo court
“All rise
I can’t do sexy”
I commit the crime of wasting time
Always trying to rhyme
Yes, I am guilty
But don’t misunderstand me
I admit defeat then I move my feet
My history will never be repeated
I won’t ever be repeated
Chorus:
Shut up, shut up, shut up
Sit up, sit up, sit up
It’s a kangaroo court
A kangaroo court
Shut up, shut up, shut up
Sit up, sit up, sit up
It’s a kangaroo court
A kangaroo court
Chorus:
Shut up, shut up, shut up
Sit up, sit up, sit up
It’s a kangaroo court
A kangaroo court
Shut up, shut up, shut up
Sit up, sit up, sit up
It’s a kangaroo court
A kangaroo court
***No copyright infringement intended. All lyrics are the property of Capital Cities.