by Jill Shaughnessy
Indie popstar Caroline Polacheck, known for hits like “So Hot You’re Hurting My Feelings”, released her sophomore studio album this February. Desire, I Want to Turn Into You consists of 12 tracks featuring whistle notes, sound effects, and guest artists. Overall, I think this is a stellar album that enthralls its listeners.
The album begins with Polachek welcoming you to her island with intense belts and a catchy melody. By track three, “Bunny Is a Rider”—previously released as a single—I was already obsessed. The song makes me want to break into dance on the tube. The lyrics are a bit bizarre but that makes it even more endearing as Polachek alludes to Alice in Wonderland.
The seventh song, “Fly to You” also stands out as it features artists Dido and Grimes. The smooth chorus pairs perfectly with the three different voices on the verses. The soft shouts, synth sounds, and careful voice tuning showcase the quality of production in this album.
I think the best song on the album is “Blood and Butter”; it has been on repeat on my phone since its release. The percussion on the verses is incredibly groovy and leads to the coolest drop off of acoustic guitar during the chorus. I love the lines “Needing nothing but the sun that’s in our eyes’’, and “To the sweetest kind of pain | Call you up, nothin’ to say”.
The last track “Billions” features an angelic choir and ends the album on a literal high note. The record allows Polachek to expand beyond bedroom pop, demonstrating her versatility. The album is a great listen and the songs can find a place in different playlists for different moods. I definitely recommend listening to it as a whole and not on shuffle, as each song flows so nicely into the next.
