Los Angeles indie electro unit Capital Cities got their start writing commercial jingles before shifting their bright and catchy songwriting talents into the world of pop. Synth-forward, horn-backed hits "Safe and Sound" and "Kangaroo Court" became viral favorites, landing their 2013 debut, In a Tidal Wave of Mystery, on the Billboard 200.

Founding composers/songwriters Ryan Merchant and Sebu Simonian first came together in 2011 via Craigslist, working as commercial jingle writers. Shortly after meeting, they released an EP online, which included the song "Safe and Sound," an upbeat mash of programming and melody that shot to the top of the charts and keeps going viral.

Their full-length debut, In a Tidal Wave of Mystery, arrived on Capitol Records in June 2013. The band's innovative video for "Safe and Sound" earned them an MTV Moonman and Grammy nomination. They further expanded their audience in 2014, hopping onto Katy Perry's Prism tour as show openers.

Capital Cities returned in 2018 with their sophomore full-length Solarize, which featured rapper Rick Ross on "Girl Friday."

In 2025, they released A Hurricane Of Frowns, a massive collection of new music, unreleased rarities, remixes and covers. With alternative versions of songs from In A Tidal Wave of Mystery, including the experimental gem "Farrah Fawcett Hair" featuring André 3000, co-frontman/keyboardist Sebu calls it "a journey into a twisted, parallel universe."