Mexican rockers Captain Mantis are back with an electrifying new alt-rock opus, ‘Moonshine Alley’.
Fresh off their latest EP, ‘Vice Market’, the track feels true to their offbeat, oh-so-satisfying old-school rock vibes. Think Arctic Monkeys x The Eagles x Santana. Their sound has this magnetic, immersive effect; once you hear it, you can’t help but be drawn in.
‘Moonshine Alley’ opens with dramatic arrangements, evocative guitar riffs, deep basslines, and complementary drums—a feisty welcome indeed. Nonchalantly cool vocals from Checo Ruiz enter, and the rhythm shifts to a groovy, salsa-like vibe. He croons on about a ‘Rough town’, a place hidden away downtown from the hectic spaces, where pleasures rule the roost after hours. The lyrics conjure up images of neon-lit streets and suspicious smiles and, as the track title suggests, purveyors of the strongest spirits known to man. His vocals have this friendly, self-assured bravado, giving you the impression of that one friend who is so much fun to go on nocturnal adventures with. His vocal range is excellent, also, ranging from dispassionate cool to euphoric, passionate vocalizations in the chorus.
Musically, this is a masterpiece in instrumentation and arrangements. The guitar work from Pato Sepúlveda is particularly compelling; watch out for that astral solo performance, starting off around the 3-minute mark. His guitar hypnotizes and captivates as he lays down an intoxicating melody that draws out fantastically. The drums from Charly Lowry and groovy basslines from Ignacio Alvarez hold the roots of this track beautifully.
The track concludes whimsically with a short, woozy, harmonica outro, indicating that perhaps a few too many moonshines were consumed! Captain Mantis are an energetic, well-put-together rock group, and this track is a fascinating old-school-style opener to their EP, creating intrigue and attraction. We look forward to checking out the other tracks from the album titled ‘Vice Market’ too!
This is a track to unwind to after hours. Sit back, treat yourself to something strong and golden, and groove along to their vibes.
Stream ‘Captain Mantis – Moonshine Alley’ on Spotify here:
