Caroline Polachek has been making records for well over a decade now, first coming into the scene with her synth-pop group Chairlift.
However, she reached a new level of success after her single “So Hot You’re Hurting My Feelings,” from her 2019 album “Pang,” blew up and reached 78 million listens on Spotify alone.
Following that success, Polachek released her sophomore album “Desire, I Want To Turn Into You.”
Album's Highs:
There are many positives about Polachek’s second studio album, but one of its greatest features is its ability to transport the listener into its world. This was easily accomplished by the first song “Welcome To My Island,” which was first introduced in an EP in December of 2022. Highlighted by strong vocal performance and 80s techno, this song has a bratty energy that captivates listeners instantly. The album captures various sounds from breakbeat, techno, folk, pop, and even bagpipes. For instance, the track “Sunset,” produced by Sega Bodega, is heavily influenced by Latin flamenco while songs like “Fly to you” use breakbeat production. The progression and cohesiveness make this an enjoyable album overall and display Polachek's already approved talent.
Album's Lows:
There are not many problems in “Desire, I Want To Turn Into You.” However, there are a few lows.
Many of the slow-paced songs are not as good as upbeat songs like “Welcome To My Island” or “Bunny Is A Rider,” except for “Crude Drawing of An Angel.” Because of that, some of the songs are more forgettable than others.
Also, like many pop albums, this project is not feature-heavy. The one song featuring another artist is “Fly To You,” featuring Grimes and Dido.
While it is not a bad song itself, it was expected Grimes would have a better performance as she is one of the few guests.
Summary:
“Desire, I Want To Turn Into You" is one of the most interesting pop projects to come out this year. There are few dull moments in the album, and when compared to many others in the genre, Polachek is leagues ahead.
Seeing the progression and differences from Chairlift, "Pang," and now to “Desire, I Want To Turn Into You," it is clear that Polachek has all that it takes to be a staple within the genre.
Having already worked with Charli XCX, Travis Scott, and Beyoncé, expect to see her name mentioned more.
This album is cohesive, camp, and mixes unique elements to create one of the best projects of 2023 so far.
I would rate it an 8 out of 10.
Best Songs:
"Crude Drawing Of An Angel"
"Bunny Is A Rider"
"Welcome To My Island"
