Cover Photo:
CAPPA by Julia Cox.
Whether you’re going through a breakup or living your single life, CAPPA’s latest single ‘Colder’, released on the 26th of February, is a song you simply have to listen to.
With glittering synths and honeyed vocals, the track navigates the rollercoaster of emotions that follow the end of a relationship.
CAPPA reveals that ‘Colder’ was inspired by a breakup with an ex-boyfriend. “I liked the idea of moving on with someone new,” she explains. “But I also knew I wasn’t going to be able to fill the emptiness that I felt once he was gone.”
“I think this song is so relatable to anyone who has lost a relationship or lost someone they love,” the Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter then adds. “Which I think is most of us.”
With lyrics, “I’d be lyin’ / If I told you that I didn’t wonder if we could keep tryin’” and the ever so catchy chorus “Everything is colder now that you’re gone,” ‘Colder’ feels like opening up your journal and reading all the emotions you didn’t want to admit. The open and honest lyrics, paired up with an infectiously upbeat and sparkling pop beat, create a truly liberating experience.
This contrast was “somewhat conscious,” CAPPA admits. “I like the edge between having sad and honest lyrics but also having a hopeful, upbeat sound.”
Unlike your usual breakup songs, ‘Colder’ won’t make you want to sit down and cry. In fact, you’re going to get up and want to dance… And maybe cry while you’re doing this.
This isn’t the first time we’ve heard glimpses of this track. While continuing with her own stream of releases, CAPPA has also become a popular vocalist, being featured on tracks for major electronic acts like TELYKast, Jason Caruso, and SNBRN in the 2020 collaboration on ‘Colder’.
Despite the earlier release date, CAPPA revealed that her version of ‘Colder’ actually came first. However, as the singer reveals, “SNBRN made such a cool version, [that] we decided to release both of them as our own singles.”
CAPPA’s version of ‘Colder’ is somewhat more relaxed than SNBRN’s, with CAPPA’s silky voice coming through on both to offer two very different experiences.
Growing up on the outskirts of Philadelphia, CAPPA spent years in the Nashville pop scene before relocating to Los Angeles. As an independent artist, there are a lot of freedoms that come hand in hand with a lot of challenges whilst creating music. “I like that I get to do whatever I want, but not having the support of a label money-wise and team-wise can definitely be a challenge,” she says.
Indeed, as an independent artist, the ability to let your music grow and flow alongside you is one of these freedoms. “I think my music has become more pop and polished over the years” CAPPA continues, acknowledging that her lyrics have become “more honest” as she progresses further into her musical career.
It can’t be ignored that this past year has been unlike any before. We still live in some extremely unpredictable times. The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken up the lives of many, especially the artists all around the world.
“It has been a weird time to release music for everyone, [and] this pandemic has definitely affected a ton of musicians,” CAPPA says; the pandemic “definitely did” affect her creative process. “I think I learned to write alone more and I’ll definitely instil that into my work going forward.”
“It’s honestly been hard to be creative during this time, and I’m still figuring it out,” CAPPA adds. “But I’m hopeful that this will be all over soon.”
It’s likely that ‘Colder’ is not the first time you’ve come across CAPPA. Her catchy cover of TLC’s ‘No Scrubs’ went viral in 2015, and with her music appearing on TV shows such as Selling Sunset, Riverdale and on ads for Victoria Secret and Lady Gaga’s HAUS Laboratories, there is no doubt that CAPPA’s sound has found its way into the homes of millions.
When it comes to future steps onto our screens, an Apple ad is the vision. “I would love to get a placement in an Apple commercial,” CAPPA says. “It’s my dream!”
There’s a certain undeniable buzz that comes with Apple commercials, and one look at their own Apple music ‘Heard In Apple Ads’ playlist, it seems CAPPA would certainly fit right in amongst good company. As for her dream collaboration, the answer was quick and simple: “Pharrell!”
We can expect to see a lot more of CAPPA, with new music and a brand-new EP coming very soon. And if ‘Colder’ is anything to go by, we’re in for a treat. The sparkly breakup anthem is available on streaming platforms for you to add to your heartbreak playlists right now—I’ve already added it to mine.
Charlotte Roberts is a freelance journalist and a music lover. You can follow her on Twitter here and Instagram here.
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