Back catalogue: Pop

Review: Caroline Polachek's Pang represents a dynamic evolution in her musical journey, seamlessly merging her diverse past projects into a singular artistic statement. This fifth anniversary edition comes on gold vinyl complete with poster. Formerly of Chairlift, Caroline's distinct vocal style and synth-driven sound matured over the years, culminating in this ambitious solo debut under her own name. Pang fuses the playfulness of Chairlift with the baroque and experimental influences of her side projects, Ramona Lisa and CEP, resulting in a sweeping and emotive collection. Produced primarily with Danny L Harle, the album offers symphonic textures and refined vocal techniques, revealing Caroline's classical training. Tracks like 'The Gate' and 'Ocean of Tears' showcase her signature "organic autotune" style, combining operatic precision with electronic ornamentation. Themes of love, vulnerability, and emotional surrender dominate songs like 'Caroline Shut Up' and 'So Hot You're Hurting My Feelings'. These love songs capture the raw pangs of human connection, balancing tenderness with humour. Polachek's Pang is a richly textured, genre-fluid exploration of voice and emotion, affirming her place as one of pop's most innovative figures in popular music.