Album Review: HOUSES by CAPPO

 

Houses

By

Cappo

 

Houses is the second chapter in the CAPstone trilogy from Cappo. It was back in September of 2024 that I was able to bring you my take on the first of the trilogy, S.T.A.R.V.E. Which was an incredibly deep album focusing on isolation and the struggles that we so often face. Houses is set some twenty years after where S.T.A.R.V.E. was set and brings us more up to date in that it focus is our modern day society.

Released through Plague, the albums promo has been stepped up to match the fact that Houses brings a narrative that is directly opposite to its predecessor. The focus here is to look more at ideas based on The Divine Social, such as the importance of human interaction, belonging, and tribal responsibility. There are also a wealth of themes built into the album which include race and class, fatherhood, the paternal bond, masculinity, mortality, and sexual desire.

The album follows a day-in-the-life narrative of a fictional working-class father of two (known as P) in contemporary Nottingham, England, as he struggles to come to terms with the societal restrictions, conformities, and benefits of fatherhood.

Houses comes with an extended press release, in the form of a Plague Tax Letter and a collaborative Modernist style Zine which features submissions from the likes of Thomas ‘Juga-naut’ Higgins, Esther Koch, and Dr Ramisha Rafique among others. This Zine and what you will read within, reflect the overall sentiment of the album; the singular product of a combination of minds, forming what is ultimately a sense of hope. The vinyl package also contains a booklet which contains an Annotated track list, this expands on the narrative behind each track and how it relates to the classic literature of the likes of Ulysses, The Odyssey and Hamlet. I will draw on some of this as I go through the album but, will not go into how it relates to the classic literature, but leave that for you to discover.

Houses is written and produced by Cappo, except for production by Sam Zircon on Lyfe, HMRC, Unborn Seed, Sessy Lu, SPRT LVLS and While You Sleep. The album was recorded by 1stBlood, mixed and mastered by Irn Mnky, and comes with design and layout from Rich Brown (Bee Graphics).

There is a lot to take in with that intro But, now you have got this far, its time to join me as I take you through the album, on a walk through Houses…

 

The album begins with Ghosts, a track that bridges S.T.A.R.V.E. and HOUSES, it reflects on how P resolves his inner tensions regarding his father’s suicide and how he overcame his own suicidal mind state at the conclusion of S.T.A.R.V.E., setting the stage for the narrative in Houses. The sound here has a suitably emotive edge with piano notes taking the forefront and the drums remaining sparse. The focus is on the lyrics here and Cappo, once again, brings P alive in our minds and we listen intently as he details the deep emotional feeling that have brought him to where he is now but, as we listen, it is obvious that there is a more upbeat vibe that becomes apparent towards the end of the track.

The narrative of Houses begins in earnest with Lyfe that explores the chaotic morning routine of P’s working-class household. Keys, drums, and electronic elements form the basis of track, bringing a sound that seems sparse but, at the same time, has an edge that tests the nerves, just as any frantic morning might do. Here P is laying awake musing on life before things take a more chaotic turn and its time to leave the bed and deal with the first part of the day and what that brings. This is something that so many of can easily relate to and how it rarely prepares us for the rest of the day to come. As P’s day continues, he engages in tidying his children’s bedroom before receiving a letter from HMRC. A letter which indicates the family have overpaid their council tax and creates a pivotal point which also heralds things to come. Sam Zircon’s production creates an upbeat sound that brings a romantic edge to things, reflecting the feelings you have on receiving a letter like this.  We get the feeling that this, for P, this is more than just the ecstatic relief of knowing you have money coming back to you, there is a depth to his feelings for this that seem to go beyond relief. Neutral takes us to where P has spoken to his wife regarding the money that is coming back to them but, finds him musing on the differences they have on what to do with the money and how this represents the emotional distance between them, rather than drawing them closer. There is a contrast between the elements of the track here where the piano creates the calmer vibe, while the other element has this opposing sound, this really does show how there are two opposing views within the dynamic between P and his wife. The lyrics really bring those opposing views into reality with P being the more frugal one, while his wife is tempted to be more spontaneous and treat the family.

Whereas the previous four tracks have taken place in the Morning, it is now the afternoon, and we find P attending the Funeral of an unnamed acquaintance. While there his mind drifts to thoughts of death, morality, and the paternal bond. The drumbeat takes the forefront here, while the piano elements create a jazzy undertone to the track. As we listen to the words, it is clear that less is more, with fewer words creating a deep awareness of these moments and how they make us question our own mortality, death, and the love we have for those closest to us. At the end of the day, it’s not always how much you say on a subject but, what you say and how you say it. Unborn Seed finds P continuing to think on morality and death, which in this instance, relates to a recent miscarriage. Here organ notes carry us along while the sparce drumbeat and cymbals seem to reflect the painful intrusive thoughts. As we listen to P’s thoughts on a tragic loss, not to mention those that came at the end of the track in Spanish, it can easily take you to thoughts of your own on such a trauma, especially if you have experienced something like this in your life, as I have. A trauma such as this causes you, in this case as the father, to think over and question so much about life around you. In this case it brings P’s superstitious beliefs to the forefront and his struggles with life’s uncertainties.

In the aftermath of this funeral, We Will? Finds P questioning his life path after contemplating so much. Here, the beat is heavier while the cymbals and vocal sample of ‘will we’ creates this vibe in your mind that easily reflects the conflict inside when seriously questioning all that you know, while standing at a crossroads in life. The lyrics speak so deeply on P’s constant questioning of his position of proving for his family, and whether he should set himself ‘free’ and leave everything he has, behind. Sessy Lu finds P on his way home from the funeral, still reflecting and contemplating, debating all the pros and cons of his situation, even if it is of his own making or not?  Musically, this one has a deep sound with a heavy beat, but the background has an almost hypnotic edge to it, drawing you in to the words being spoken. We are drawn into P’s thoughts as he wonders what to do but, we feel his desire to find a way away from what is around him. This comes to a head as P’s desires take him down the path of considering an affair with a local single mother named Sessy Lu. These thoughts, in themselves, open up a pandora’s box of what that would mean for him and his family life. P ultimately decides to relieve these desires himself, testing whether he is thinking with a clear mind or just with his dick. P’s internal struggles with his thoughts and desires for infidelity are further explored in Undigested Sweetcorn. The beat here is pounding, incorporating elements of Slow and Low at the start, and further backed by a sound that seems to continue the almost hypnotic edge before switching out at the end as we follow P. As the words flow though our minds and we follow P and his internal struggles; we find that he is doing his upmost to avoid this affair rather than risk his marriage. As we know from the final lines of the previous track, Sessy Lu, he has chosen to relieve himself when he arrives home.

It is time to move into the Evening of P’s day with Forces. Here P is now in a better frame of mind having relieved himself of carnal desires that had treated to overtake him. This has given him time to think and to make his ultimate decision to live as freely and independently as possible by leaving his family. There is this music box kind of sound that carries us through the track with only a few hints of drums dropping in at particular points. We follow P and his thoughts on making his ultimate decision, knowing that his current decision is not serving who he is or his family. To be a better man he knows that he has to find his true self; and that means needing to leave behind the life he currently knows. In the end it may be the best for all involved. In SPRT LVLS we find P out on his first night as a ‘free man’, getting drunk and high before his evening turns sour; while attempting to speak to a woman, P is caught up in a bar brawl between rival gangs. The piano and sparce drums create a dark edge to the sound, something that reflects the situation that is about to unfold. The vocals skilfully describe how P initially see’s his evening being everything he was expecting being a ‘free man’, but all to soon it turns into a nightmare. With P experiencing the violence of Nottingham’s underbelly, Solitaire finds him quickly realising that his decision was ill conceived. The beat here has the feeling of a full on banger of a beat with piano notes giving it a brighter edge. P quickly realises that the secure family unit is far more appealing to him than the ‘free man’ life initially seemed to be. Swallowing his pride, P makes it his mission in life to do all he can for his family, realising that having a small part od something is far better than having all of nothing.

With the penultimate track of the album, we move into the Night of our day with P. Lay Your Head Down sees P arriving home and attempting to resolve his relationship. The mood is set nicely by the heavy beat and the contrasting guitar and keys, creating a calming sound that perfectly mirrors the emotive nature of the events that are unfolding. Here, we see P talking and seducing his partner, reflecting on events and also on his relationship with his daughter, a vision that creates a lot of emotion if you chose to let it in. Houses ends with While You Sleep where the bass and piano brings brighter, emotional vibe; something that works perfectly and the sound scape for the track. Before sleeping himself, P checks in on his sleeping son, his thoughts are the perfect celebration of the father-son bond. There is a depth and emotion to the words that any real father with understand and something that brings the album full circle; especially when we consider that beginning of the album and where P has come from and his experience with his own father.

There is little doubt that Houses, if you look at it on its own merit, is an incredible piece of work, and something that has been conceived by a true artist. Houses follows one mans trials and tribulations as he attempts to understand and come to terms with his own mortality and what being a true father means. The album might take place across one linear day but, it could have taken place across days, weeks or even months. It takes the listener on a truly deep journey through one person’s journey but, that journey could quite easily be one that any one of us has taken in their life.

I can associate with many of the themes encompassed in the album. I have lost a loved one to suicide, know of suicide ideation, and have experienced an actual family break-up, being estranged from my own children; I also know the struggles with mental health than come along with these traumas and more. It is this kind of relatability that adds extra depth to the album as it helps you to draw on your own lived experiences and the connected emotions.

Lyrically this one is an album that really needs to be listened to. I’m not saying that you can’t just bung in on in the car, but to truly experience every word, bar, and metaphor, you need to take time with this one and digest everything that is said because, the wordplay is the only thing that sees this one set the bat on a whole new level.

Cappo delivers a truly epic piece of work here, both production wise (not forgetting the production from Sam Zircon too, who brings his own mastery to the proceedings) and lyrically, but deeper than that when you take into account how he uses the relationship of the individual tracks to those classic written masterpiece’s, Houses does become something truly different.

Now, I’m not suggesting that to understand Houses, you need to go out and read these epic books, as the album insert booklet does help you to understand parts however, if you chose to do that, it can only elevate your understanding. But what I do suggest is you give Houses the time it deserves, let it in and truly understand what it says because it goes deeper than I can really explain in these words.

Overall, Houses is a masterpiece of Hip Hop story telling; it encompasses a number of musical influences but, also has that added literary influence and connection that elevates it a new level of Hip Hop music, in fact, it might have defined a new genre and a whole new level of what is possible when you merge Hip Hop with a different level of technical and intellectual skill.

If I’m honest, I don’t know if my words can really do justice to just how good Houses is, because it hits so deeply on so many levels. So, I’m gonna leave it there because, I could go on for pages about the album but, in truth you just need to go and listen, truly listen to it.

My humble thanks to Dan at Plague for the chance to experience this album and to help in bringing you my words. I also need to thank Dan and Cappo for the amazing information contained in this which helped the review process no end.

Enjoy this one and I’ll see you next time.

One Love,

Steve.

LINKS

Grab your copy from Bandcamp:

https://plague11.bandcamp.com/album/houses

Cappo Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/kafka_poe_murakami/

Plague Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/plague_11/

https://www.facebook.com/plague11