Minnesota’s Poliça make catchy, pretty synthpop infused with R&B. Their aesthetic, both musically and artistically, seems to be deeply entrenched in 1980s culture; sweeping synths and moody lyrics are found in abundance. Like peers Chromatics, Poliça rely on texture and mood over lyrical clarity. Frontwoman Channy Leaneagh sings in an Autotuned veil with her words tough to discern. And apparently that’s what she prefers. Leaneagh said in a recent interview with The Telegraph, “I like…where I don’t need to necessarily understand the lyrics to feel the emotion of the singing.”
Poliça’s first single from their upcoming sophomore record, “Chain My Name,” is no exception to their style. It’s an upbeat electro tune that stays interesting throughout. Leaneagh’s vocals, though more or less indiscernible, glide over the synthy backdrop. The track ends up sounding like the best parts of New Order and Soft Cell put together and it makes for a glorious piece of ’80s, heart on the sleeve pop.
Poliça’s second album, Shulamith, is out October 22.