Indie/art-rock band Capricore release dreamy goth-esque single ‘Smile’
Following their debut single, Don’t Shank Me, distributed by AAA Records, Capricore returns with Smile, a track that continues to see the band blend their signature 80’s inspired sound with modern indie rock. This time, they take a stronger goth-esque influence, pairing it with Ripley’s theatrical glam-rock songwriting. On stage, the band keeps their introduction simple, stating only, “It’s a love song.” Yet, Smile stands as their most serious and passionate composition to date—a dreamy ballad that feels both intimate and powerful.
“We stumbled upon Jupiter, he was bleeding, so you bandaged his wounds,” Ripley chants before the band erupts into a lush chorus. The song shifts between an apathetic goth ballad and a vibrant glam-rock anthem, taking the listener on a journey through contrasting soundscapes before building to a euphoric climax of dream-rock and psychedelia. It feels as if The Cure and Ziggy Stardust-era Bowie wrote a love song together. Though the outro, with its trilling vocals, recalls the style of Rozz Williams from Christian Death.
One of the standout aspects of Smile is its shift in lyrical content. While the band’s two previous singles were satirical, packed with observational commentary and Warholian literalism, Smile takes a markedly different approach—one that leans heavily into metaphor. “I wanted this love so bad, that I prayed upon the sun like a godless king,” Ripley croons. When asked about the song’s meaning, he explained, “To me, this song is about the blossoming of new love and the recurring cycle of falling hopelessly for others. I wanted to express that through sentimental imagery and esoteric language.”
Smile was recorded at The Chapel Studio shortly after Don’t Shank Me. The band is currently working on their debut album with producer TeMatera Smith, who is well known for his work on Troy Kingi’s award-nominated albums, Year the Ghost of Freddie Cesar and Leatherman & the Mojave Green. When discussing the recording process for Smile, keyboardist James Zambucka shared, “It all felt completely natural and came together in a way that just made sense. It holds a special place for me, and I hope it resonates with others the same way it did when we created it.”
Smile comes out on all streaming platforms October the 31st.
Photo Credit: Brodie Allen
