Artist of the month: Caroline Polachek

We've started to choose an artist each month who we think deserves to be shouted about. When it comes to this February, we think not many have had a better time than Caroline Polachek who released her second album 'Desire, I Want To Turn Into You'.

For those unfamiliar with Caroline's history, she was one half of the synth-pop duo Chairlift, whose mixture of electronic elements with pop made for some avant-garde songs that are truly underrated. Chairlift deserve a lot more credit for their dedication to pushing the boundaries of pop.

Now, Caroline is pushing boundaries in a whole new way. Her first album as a solo artist was titled 'Pang' and it featured the track 'So Hot You're Hurting My Feelings', which is a perfect pop song that has an irresistible chorus and phenomenal production that will have you listening over and over again.

Whilst sometimes associated with hyperpop, Polachek's music feels as though it's operating on a separate plane of existence. Her closest contemporary is probably fellow pop icon and collaborator Charli XCX. This is pop music that emphasises romance, and desire and as a result produces a sound that is completely infatuating. 

In February she released her new album and it was a critical smash. Some of the singles such as 'Bunny Is A Rider' and 'Billions' have been fan favourites from the past couple of years and they emphasise her commitment to treading her own path, with awkward unpredictable melodies and rhythms that just click in the perfect way.

'Desire, I Want To Turn Into You' was awarded Pitchfork's coveted Best New Music, with the general consensus from reviews being that this was an early contender for album of the year. It is fair to say that her profile has risen significantly. Charli XCX was even quoted at the BRITS saying that Caroline Polachek should be nominated for Best New Artist at next year's GRAMMY awards.

Polachek was also on tour in the UK and Europe in February and her performance at London's Hammersmith Apollo was nothing short of a blistering success. With beautiful visuals, she has crafted an aesthetic that feels standalone and singular to her as an artist. No one is doing pop like Caroline Polachek at the moment. She headlines Wide Awake in London this summer and you can see what else she's up to here.

Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.