Poliça
Shulamith
October 21 2013 (Memphis Industries)
7/10
Words: Alison Mack
Poliça, the Minneapolis five-piece, make a fast return with their follow-up to last year's debut 'Give You The Ghost'. The album - named after the Canadian feminist whom vocalist Channy Leaneagh has derived inspiration from - plays a darker, riffier line than its predecessor; less of a full-on impact with pounding drumlines as before, although more crisp in its synth and electronic structures. Leaneagh's manipulated vocal distortion is captured on opener 'Chain My Name', ensuing over its energetic beat, which is also to the fore on 'Spilling Lines'. Whilst the band furthers its ability to blend synth pop with melodic R&B streams and sharp production, the night territory lyrics take 'Very Cruel' in one direction, it is almost fighting against itself with trip-hop beats and Leaneagh's vocal effects; it is left to Bon Iver's Justin Vernon to complement her starker tone, adding dreamy backing vocals on 'Tiff'. The subject matter which supplies Poliça's reference points are weighty issues, which are addressed with directness, though one may feel that Leaneagh is still on a journey of discovery, vacillitating between the angst and questioning of 'I Need $' to the relationship woes of 'Smug'. Disturbing and engaging in equal measures, 'Shulamith' ensures Poliça live up to the hype that has been accredited to them so far.
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