Cage the Elephant – Neon Pill Review

You cannot cage the elephant after all. Neon Pill, the first track from Cage the Elephant in five years, is a sign of their essential quality. For those who remember the glories of Melophobia, you can feel right at home with Neon Pill. So too can those who remember the seminal 2013 release, but not how to spell it. Such is life in the fast lane though Cage the Elephant has pumped the brakes for some time now. They are only just returning to the fold, and with it is not the promise of anything more but the testing of waters to see how their skilful works would play out. Very well, is the answer.  

It does not erupt as much as their heyday but Cage the Elephant is well beyond that and now finds itself detailing their singles with likeable and steady works to appeal to an already apparent fanbase. With double-crosses and a sense of losing their grip on love as the haunting clangs come through, Cage the Elephant deals with a sharper sense of sinister control. Longing for the lip balm taste, the nostalgic pressures which come from the sickly-sweet taste of cherry balm and the gunshot wounds of love. Neon Pill rises and falls with its instrumentals, electronic and glitchy but still tender enough to prove their hands are very much in the hit-making business. Neon Pill deserves much credit for its volatility, the feel of love being equivalent to a death sentence – the fear bubbles but the light and freeing instrumentals are something to cling to.  

For those who enjoyed Social Cues, climb aboard. This is pretty much more of the same but with a lighter flourish to the instrumentals. No harm in that, and Cage the Elephant find themselves wielding familiar material for the sake of announcing their return. It would have been a bold move to crash through with something inherently new, some sonic force which had captured the band during their hibernation, but it was not to be. Cage the Elephant appears more than ready to continue with their usual run of dependable psychedelic wonders, paired well with a new wave flutter. It is not that Neon Pill does not take risks, it is just the rewards and spoils are closely tied to what came before. Cage the Elephant may be somewhat at risk of finding themselves boxed in.  

Enjoy it for now. No warning lights are flashing, and the list of potential is exciting. Neon Pill delights with its almost unphased dissection of hit-and-run horrors, the brutal onslaught of life and love hitting at the brain over and over, but it matters not to the seasoned veterans. One of the few bands that can make passiveness still feel cool, especially at a time when music offers a constant reaction. Hold at the stop sign, and find the firm grip Cage the Elephant has as a comfortable continuation of solid efforts. Feel the slight tingle of disappointment but play it again. On and on it goes, into the playlist and forgotten about in a few months’ time. Such is life – but enjoy those few months while you can. Neon Pill is a glowing little number whose light will burn long through the summer months.