Single Review: Rectangle

Vox Capacitor is a solo project of “Jangly Dad Rock and Indie Guitar Pop” based in Auckland, from an artist who is clearly a quite competent multi-instrumentalist. From drums tracked “in a borrowed gym”, to a suitably solid bass line, to layers of guitars topped with well-delivered vocals, Vox Capacitor certainly multi tasks with aplomb.

Multi-tasking being one of the lyrical refrains of Rectangle, the overall theme being one of “a life lived over Zoom” and feeling constrained by a “technological leash 24/7”. The lyrics speak of feeling diminished by the technology we communicate with every day, being a “small version of me, relegated to a corner”. A rather bleak message, but delivered with a lush and upbeat soundtrack.

I especially enjoyed the contrast in the guitar lines, ranging from sweetly clean little arpeggios floating around each other in the verses, to more driven low growls, supporting the message of the chorus. Whilst I enjoyed the vocals, especially the layers of harmonies at various points, I would have liked to have heard them just slightly higher in the mix.

Rectangle features on the upcoming Variance EP, with a full album planned for later in 2023. I would most closely compare this to “Unit”-era Regurgitator, so if that’s your jam (like it is mine), get amongst it.