in review: capespring's 'CROWS'

“How do you feel smiling a smile of a thousand lies?”

These are capespring’s opening lines in his newest alternative ballad “CROWS”. No sooner than the opening lyrics settle, do we realise that this is a song of grief. Grieving love and what could've been. A tale as old as the sun but just as powerful. Capespring encapsulates the deep conflict that emanates from losing love to betrayal and trying to stay away from its potency, whilst trying to reconcile with the disappointment of what could've been.

His words are drenched in grief and melancholia.

The chorus’ lyrics “run away from you” are repetitive and resolute, reflecting a somber realisation of what has to be done when love loses its foundations. It centers the narrative’s themes of love and heartbreak with brutal competence. His voice is nostalgic and reminiscent, laying bare his feelings of love and pain with raw honesty. However, beneath his voice is a sad realization. Whilst his voice seems to express these feelings of pain and apathy towards his former lover, they also seem to be inward. A desperate and personal plea to never lose oneself at such a high cost. It is clear that this plea is not as psychologically concrete as he wants it to be as his lover still torments him in his dreams. He sings, “..had a dream about you and I really don't care.” It is clear he cares and that's why he hurts. A paradoxical declaration in itself.

The music production brings the song full circle with introspective melodies that are wistful yet romantic. The guitar strings collide with the intricate basslines to create an air of nostalgia and reminiscence that is so significant to telling a story that draws from past pains and hurts. The song begins with chaotic synths and tremors that resemble a spaceship readying itself for liftoff. Symbolically, the sonic environment mentally prepares us, the listeners, to join cape in this journey that we all know too well. A journey of love, heartbreak, grief and acceptance.

The music video proceeds to spawn these themes of pain and heartbreak to life through visually depicting the loneliness that stems from it. The story surrounds a character who is lost within himself, navigating the world in arrhythmia. It is clear he is not himself. In attempting to run away from his estranged lover he is running away from himself. Despite reconciling attempts from those close to him, still, he runs away. The audiovisual explores a universe where Capespring's narrative finds vindication and expression.

As the song draws to a close, a voice permeates from the sandy shores; a woman's voice. She responds to our protagonist with understanding and acknowledgement of his strife. The reconciliation that she seeks is silent and intimate. “I'd like to be remembered by you. I want to be remembered by you.” She says. A simple yet personal request—that he preserves the beauty of it all within the vestibules of his psyche. She understands the significance of memory for estranged love. It is the only thing that can preserve a love long past its expiration date.

Just like crows themselves, the song is not flamboyant. It is calm and meditative. Capespring does not seek to convince his audience of his ideals, nor does he seek to convict his former lover of the pain they caused. He seeks release. Release from the torturous lingers of pain and betrayal. A feeling we can relate to all too well.

Do yourself a world of good and check it out.