An Honest Policy

It seems that if one is looking for the next great band, that individual should further explore the music scene in Minnesota. Musicians and bands like Bob Dylan, Prince, The Replacements, and Low are just a few examples of what this “Star of the North” state has blessed the music world with. Their production of music does not stop there though. Another band hailing from Minneapolis, Poliça, have made a name for themselves amongst the electro pop community. Poliça, however, is one band that does not need to be heard by just a niche group of people, but by any person interested in music as a whole.

There has been a surge in the production of music where simplicity meets modernity. The way untouched vocals are paired with manipulated sounds and synthesizers shows the merging between the past and the present. While there may be many bands that are putting out music similar to this, there are a handful of bands that are distributing more truthful and worthier records. One of those bands happens to be Poliça. Specifically, Poliça’s new record United Crushers, shows this marriage between old and new.

The meaning of the band’s name translates to “policy.” That policy being, that they write and perform their music as exceptionally and truthfully as possible. They have carved out a brand for themselves and in doing so, created an expectation for the listener, of musicians who are sincerely trying to contribute standout music to an already electronica drenched music industry.

The first thing one notices about this record is the blending of Channy Leaneagh’s Joni Mitchell sounding vocals with the synth and heavy drumbeats. It strikes a nice balance between relentless electronica and tranquil soft pop. The listener undoubtedly gets lost within the beats and falls into a sort of hypnosis, especially with the song, “Lately.”

After listening through it a couple of times, however, the listener becomes aware of the lyrics and the candor behind them. They sound personal and candid. For instance, on the song “Lime Habit” Leaneagh repeatedly sings “habit to me/habit to beat.” Perhaps, she is singing about the routine of daily life, but one cannot mistake the nuance of addiction and struggle. These lyrics sound more like an intimate dialogue between two people, rather than a synthpop song.