Captain Highside Triumphs With the Emotionally Electric EP: ‘Milder Diplomacy’ and Reinvents Retro With Soul
- STAFF
- Jul 20
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 21
By: Staff
An unforgettable performance that captures the heart—radiant, intimate, and vocally mesmerizing.
Captain Highside just delivered an EP with a sound that instantly sets itself apart, 'Milder Diplomacy' feels both retro-rooted and forward-leaning, a striking balance that’s rare to pull off this well. From the first few seconds, you can tell this isn’t just a nostalgic throwback; it’s an evolution of classic soul, soft rock, and alt-rock sensibilities, shaped into something intimate and fresh. The spirit of the past is alive in these tracks, but the way Captain Highside brings new textures, emotional depth, and a signature vocal presence makes Milder Diplomacy feel like a necessary part of the present musical landscape.
We started off with “Slow Dancing in the Kitchen (feat. Skip Jones),” and the 70s piano-synth textures hit immediately with full charm and conviction. The track’s sonic palette blends soft rock and jazz-infused rhythms, hinting at everything from the E Street Band to Van Morrison, but never landing in imitation. The arrangement is completely its own thing, those sweeping, bittersweet synths act like a curtain rising on a stage, followed by gentle drums that lock into a groove both smooth and tight. What also lands almost instantly is the vocal performance: rich, confident, and commanding without ever overpowering the song’s softness. Long syllables stretch luxuriously across the verses, while the phrasing remains agile and precise. It’s the kind of balance that demands attention, cool and intimate at the same time. The lyrical imagery hits just as hard:
“Nothing on the TV”
becomes the backdrop for a quiet, romantic moment, the kind that hits deep because we’ve all lived it or wish we had. The horns come in with dramatic flair, elevating the scene into something timeless. And what also stands out is the ease with which Captain Highside creates a bond; you feel like you already know him. It’s the kind of songwriting that makes you imagine your own kitchen, your own love story. That kind of emotional reach takes skill, but even more so, it takes sincerity. This track is layered, resonant, and already feels like it’s been part of your life forever.
“Play, Again” follows with a visualizer that’s hard to forget. It may not be full 3D, but it gets real close. When the room is dark and the screen’s lit, the dimensional effect pulls you in.
The track’s synths are bright and tightly wound, creating a rhythm that expands outward, giving the vocals room to ride long and smooth. It’s hypnotic, but in a fresh and clean way. The beat keeps everything in a crisp pocket, allowing Captain Highside’s sustained runs to flow endlessly, almost dreamlike. The control here is remarkable; these vocals don’t strain or stretch, they simply move with elegance. The way Captain Highside builds atmosphere while staying vocally locked in is what makes this one so captivating. It’s a track that wraps around you.
“Madness Rising” takes the mood down a few notches in pace but turns up the emotional intensity. It’s got that soft, simmering jazz energy combined with a soul-ballad feel that carries a real sense of longing. Early on, the guitar work flows like a low tide, fluid, mellow, with a subtle bass-like resonance that lays a lush foundation.
Following that, the vocal execution is once again a highlight. Sustained runs weave through the track with that now-familiar effortless delivery. But what truly hits is the falsetto, soaring, delicate, and technically pristine. It’s a spotlight moment that showcases a wide range and expressive depth, proving yet again that Captain Highside isn’t just dabbling in genre crossovers; he is mastering them. This song carries both restraint and release, creating a dynamic that’s quietly powerful.
From a production standpoint, 'Milder Diplomacy 'is outstanding. The engineering is smart, clean, and deeply intentional. Every layer is given space to breathe, and every instrumental choice lands with purpose. The vocals are front and center, bold yet never overwhelming. The balance in the mix is just right; every detail, from the gentle percussion to the intricate synth lines, can be heard distinctly, without ever competing for attention. The result is a lush, immersive listen that rewards repeat plays.
All in all, Milder Diplomacy takes a rich, 70s-inspired aesthetic and infuses it with emotional nuance, creative polish, and a contemporary edge that makes it feel undeniably current.
Captain Highside is doing something rare: building songs that connect instantly, while also revealing new details the deeper you listen. With this kind of artistry and range, we’re certain this is only the beginning of a rising arc. We’ll be following closely, and we suggest you do too.
Captain Highside’s 'Milder Diplomacy' delivers pure magic with timeless soul and flawless precision.
Captain Highside is the creative moniker of Atlanta-based singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Prashant Raghavendran, whose genre-fluid style blends atmospheric soul, nuanced R&B, and rootsy blues with a storyteller’s instinct.
From the very beginning, Raghavendran’s musical approach has been fearless, launching in the early 2000s with piano-heavy tracks and gradually evolving into a sound shaped by influences as varied as Bollywood percussion, Southern Americana, and jazz-inflected pop.
Each composition reveals a deep curiosity and command over musical texture, shaped not just by instinct but by collaboration. Working with many of Nashville’s musical heavyweights, Raghavendran continuously shapes and refines his craft through collective creativity and sonic experimentation.
While music is the lifeblood of the Captain Highside project, it also serves as an outlet from a high-stakes day job, Raghavendran is also a practicing pediatric hematologist. That dual existence informs the emotional richness of the work; it’s art born not just from talent, but from experience, empathy, and real-life stakes.
He lives in Atlanta with his creative partner and muse Terra, and their loyal pup Mochi, who rounds out the vibe at home.
We’re so excited to have found and can’t wait to hear more from the endlessly compelling Captain Highside.
