New York based indie artist, David Polanco, known as Subway Rat, released his sophomore album ‘Captain of the Football Team‘ a few weeks ago as the follow-up to his massively popular ‘Stand Clear of the Closing Doors‘ debut. Recorded at Lounge Studios in Manhattan with the help of Grammy-winning sound engineers and released via Rat Tooth Records (Polanco’s own independent label), the LP is wonderfully unique. Lyrically rife with similes, metaphors, and nostalgic couplets, each song sets a scene and Subway Rat’s distinctive and raspy soulful voice carries us away. His second LP ‘Captain of the Football Team’ is more of a lamentful record than his debut, made for cold winter evenings contemplating exes and life choices, although tracks are still upbeat, somewhat hopeful, and will have your head bopping. For those familiar with New York as natives or tourists, Subway Rat’s music screams NYC, although it’s difficult to pin down why precisely. Maybe the heavy Strokes influence which is noticeable on tracks ‘Outta Town‘ and ‘Hope!‘, as well as the lyrical structure in others, or maybe it’s the particular combination of post punk, soul, and hip-hop that only NYC natives seem to be able to nail in this way. Is Subway Rat and ‘Captain of the Football Team’ the modern day lovechild of Ian Dury and Lou Reed who loves catchy 80s pop hooks and 2000s societal references? Quite possibly. The indie Queensian usually goes with the first take of a track and refers to them as “alt rock freestyles”, I feel as though this gives the album a live vibe, despite having the production quality of a studio. This is first and foremost a breakup record, dripping with longing, regret, and questions about the past, yet keeps one engaged and entertained. ‘Queens Kids‘, the fourth track, is especially poignant (a nostalgic punch to the gut, if you’re newly broken up) with Subway Rat wondering what him and his ex partner’s kids would’ve looked like – a good highlight of his storytelling style and songwriting ability. My favorite songs off the LP happen to be the last four: ‘Nostalgia‘, ‘Summertime‘, ‘Lost Without U‘, and ‘Modern Lovers‘. With so much talk of nostalgic vibes, it’s no wonder ‘Nostalgia‘ would be a highlight. It’s lyrics are reminiscent of a John Waters’ film from the 80s: homecoming queens and captains of football teams, hiding from parents, running from teachers and hiding under bleachers. ‘Summertime‘ however, is a sleeper hit, I can already see it in part soundtracking this summer. ‘Lost Without U’ goes back and forth between confidence and angst, strength and weakness, being afraid of the truth with the inability to lie. The track sounds like a bastard child of LCD Soundsystem and Desire with a bit of The Strokes .
As a whole ‘Captain of the Football Team’ is wholly enjoyable, quirky, and radiates NYC.
Sarah Medeiros