For female-identifying artists in their late 30s, it's a common societal myth that women should settle down, not embrace their femininity or acknowledge it. Yet, Caroline Polachek defies these gender norms that plague the music industry, releasing her sophomore album, "Desire, I Want To Turn Into You."
Before her solo debut in 2019 with "Pang," Polachek was in the alternative band Chairlift for over 10 years, finally breaking away and diving into the indie pop genre, openly discussing her failed love affairs with songs such as "So Hot You're Hurting My Feelings," as well as her internal monologue on others like "Caroline Shut Up."
Four years later, the singer is in a self-reflective era, and with a release day on Valentine's Day, it's clear that her second album is all about love in its lightest and darkest moments. While Polachek's vocals are at her strongest, this album fails to draw listeners all the way in, especially after its first four tracks.
Before jumping into Polachek's errors, it's important to realize that the bangers on this album, aka "Welcome To My Island," "Pretty In Possible" and “Bunny Is A Rider," are filled with movement and life. The first track, which invites listeners into the record, is a release of inner longing, evident as the singer practically cries out passionately within the first 30 seconds of the song. This song is about desire, as the title of this album focuses heavily on wanting to give up everything for someone, which anyone can relate to in their romantic endeavors.
Meanwhile, "Pretty In Possible" focuses more on the build-up of a potential relationship, with Polachek singing, "Potential is the drug / They never knew you never tried / But you see it in my eyes," using Greek mythological references to the Oracle. These references to Greek mythology continue throughout the album, which is also important to note later on with songs such as "Crude Drawing Of An Angel" and "Blood and Butter."
"Bunny Is A Rider" follows, which was released back in 2021, and is about hiding yourself from everyone, even the ones you love the most. Even though it's upbeat and full of futuristic production and bird-like calls, it's overall one of the saddening songs on the album, especially as Polachek used much of her personal heartbreak during the COVID-19 pandemic as inspiration for her album's 12 tracks.
This inspiration is further narrated in "Crude Drawing Of An Angel," which could be an ode to her father who died of COVID-related complications during the pandemic. Unlike her previous songs, this track feels like you're underground, hidden in darkness, as Polachek shows signs of wanting to break through her sadness and remember her loved ones properly, yet this notion of moving on is easier said than done.
Sadly, even though there is a sense of beauty and vulnerability evident within each track, there are a few that don't rise to the occasion, including "Fly To You (feat. Grimes and Dido)" and "Butterfly Net," which are just disappointing in sound and production. You would think with iconic collaborators like Grimes and Dido that Polachek would be able to make a song that is a powerhouse hit, but it feels forced and complicated as their voices all don't flow well together.
"Butterfly Net" causes the album to lose momentum, using acoustic guitars and echoed vocals that would be perfect if cut down, but it gets too repetitive as Polachek nears the end of her tracklist. Thankfully, "Smoke" brings more life into the record's closure, with a pulse that makes you want to get up and dance.
A song about living in utter disillusion during the midst of a breakup, Polachek isn't afraid to beg for a fresh start. Lyrics such as "And the fallout doesn't phase me / Take a bullet for my baby / For the one thing that'll save me I know / Throw it all out and replace it / With a brand new kind of crazy / Don't believe it when you praise me / Do I?" prove this newfound state of denial. It's a flawless track overall because the singer can project these feelings onto her listeners.
What's most disappointing overall about "Desire, I Want To Turn Into You" is its ending, "Billions." Released last year, Polachek should have just put an entirely new song to end the album. While its robotic production is something the singer has yet to do, it doesn't leave listeners with a strong closing or a memorable one.
Essentially, "Desire, I Want To Turn Into You" is a great example of Caroline Polachek's growth as a solo act, which is inherently evident even in the album's worst tracks but also has its moments where the singer needed to expand a little more musically and thematically. Despite its flaws, Polachek still has proven that she should be taken seriously now in her late 30s, and her musical genius is the glue that holds this record together.
Rating: 3 / 5
