An Eclectic Wonderland

Most records need a theme. Whether it be tonality, sonically or conceptually rarely matters. In very rare cases, albums have managed to abandon consistency while maintaining a high level of quality. This is something that is typically only seen in compilation records. Luckily on the latest joint effort by Poliça and s t a r g a z e, the songs are all standalone pieces that manage to wholly work together, creating one of the most unique and exciting projects of the year so far.

Music for the Long Emergency is one of the most engaging projects of the year. This is apparent right off the bat with the opening song, “Fake Like,” which begins with a groovy guitar pluck and slide with a sauntering drumbeat. It’s a rather relaxing track. It could easily have found its way into a smoky velvet-lined lounge. The lyrics are standard love song fare, but the vocals are fantastic. There’s a fragility within them, but it reveals no cracks whatsoever. As the song hits the chorus, the minimalist instrumentation bursts alive with horns and shimmering strings. It’s one of the more memorable tracks from the record, though the album makes sure to show listeners that it has quite a few more tricks up its sleeve.

“Marrow,” the second track, is an absolute rollercoaster. Vocals are run through a filter, causing them to sound electronic and strained, and the production is boisterous and aggressive, a far cry from the soothing “Fake Like” but a welcome one. Despite the massive change in tone, the song works rather well and its insanity should only drag listeners deeper into the world Poliçia and s t a r g a z e have created.

“Speaking of Ghost” marks yet another shift in the tone, moving back toward a much more soothing sound palate, it operates somewhere between “Marrow” and “Fake Like.” As a whole, it is much softer and closer to “Fake Like,” but every so often a noise bursts forth from the background that helps to remind listeners what they signed up for. Instrumentation on this track is incredibly varied, featuring strings, guitars, piano and rather atypical drumming.

So far there have been no two tracks alike and that theme continues to the very ends of the record. The final track, “Music for the Long Emergency,” again separates itself by being one of the two longest songs on the record, coming in at nine minutes and forty-seven seconds. The opening on the track sounds like a sandstorm or a blizzard captured on tape, while a string section urgently warms up in the background. It’s a meandering track that often floats between menacing and relaxing, as much of this album has. Moments featuring vocals are lovely and calming, but the solo instrumentals are often anxiety-inducing, making for an exciting and unexpected experience that is rarely pulled off in music.

Albums without any sort of overarching theme are hard to come by, good ones are nearly impossible to find, and yet Poliça and s t a r g a z e have accomplished the impossible with Music for the Long Emergency. By blending symphony instrumentation, dark synth wave and traditional indie rock, they’ve created a memorable record that should be crawling its way on to many a year-end list for those dedicated enough to seek them out.