“I crave for a new relationship,” is one of the common thoughts in human nature—motivated by our lust, or more specifically our desire. This enlarged feeling of affection will only grow stronger as Valentines’ Day will soon approach. Some might bawl, some might beam, but it is not important as one of the best albums released last year which officially turned one year old! “Desired, I Want To Turn Into You,” is Caroline Polachek’s newest work up to date and arguably her best project in her career. Polachek had a long music career in her life, no matter if it is the indie band, she used to be in called “Chairlift,” or the different stage names she had used before this.
Polachek sure does know the possibilities one relationship can bring her, like an immersed color being painted to life. And as she craved and explored the unpredictable affection on the track,“Welcome to My Island,” the astonishing intro of the song immediately captures our sense, like Calypso as she invites Odysseus to her land. Bringing us to her own state of mind as she fulfills her motivation created by desire. Followed by tracks like, “Pretty in Possible,” and, “Sunset,” which both share a cozy side of Polachek. They can be viewed as a cool down from the insane overture and an add on to the welcoming atmosphere presented by it.
Throughout her career Polachek was an indie musician in the demented city of New York. Her previous album, “Pang,” serves a vivid image of Caroline’s reaction to being crushed by rapid routine. The theme of escapism is spotted on, “Bunny is a Rider,” in its production style the track is unpredictable, but at the same time very straightforward. Like the Bunny character created in the song, she can be anyone in their mood of daydreaming away. This contradicts with the welcoming mood present at first glance which opened to the double-sided nature of desire. The selfish, egoistic topic continues on into, “Butterfly Net,” as Caroline describes her foolish behavior of capturing and keeping what couldn’t be preserved. Desired open its wings creating light for one, desired wave its net capturing love.
“It’s just smoke Selling me out on a downlow,” said by Caroline reflecting her torn affection in, “Butterfly Net,” realizing her desperation due to desire. This appearance of anagnorisis leads to the big lesson that desire is the motivation of life, its muse and poison. This tragic thought led to the final track “Billions.” From her own words she describes billion as the opposite of, “Welcome To My Island,” calling it complete selfishness in which from its abundance production and Caroline’s sharp vocal performance creating the most aggressive nature of desire as she brought out its humor and eroticism through the example of sailor on ocean. As the song comes to an end, the children’s choir comes in harmony with the waves of the ocean depicting the natural occurrence of desire in human nature.