Pang (album)


Pang is the third studio album by American singer Caroline Polachek. It was released by Sony Music, The Orchard, and Perpetual Novice on October 18, 2019. Pang is Polachek's first solo effort released under her own name.

Background and recording

In 2017, Polachek began working frequently with PC Music producers Danny L Harle and A. G. Cook after the dissolution of her band Chairlift. She appeared on Harle's single "Ashes of Love" back in 2016, and she also began collaborating with him and Cook in contributions with other artists, such as Superfruit and Charli XCX. In an interview with Dazed, Polachek revealed what it was like to work with a range of different people, noting that "Working with different artists is always a learning experience, a new skill for the tool belt, even when it's more about realising what doesn't work." She elaborated, saying that she feels more in control of the things she writes and produces, and that she's "...Ultimately the one in control, the one who is filtering and controlling the palette in real time. I don't leave it up to someone else. It's actually more and more liberating to just get in and start making stuff." Throughout the duration of 2018, Polachek shared a number of images of her in the studio to record material and hinted at the possibility of working on an album in their captions.

Release

Pang was released on October 18, 2019, by Sony Music, specifically on Perpetual Novice, Polachek's imprint under The Orchard.

Singles

In 2019, Polachek released the album's lead single "Door", which was the first to be released under her own name. It was also accompanied by a music video, directed by Polachek herself alongside London-based artist Matt Copson. The song was revealed by a press release as "the first taste of a forthcoming, larger solo project from Caroline to be released later this year." rumouring further that the album could possibly have more than over 18 tracks. In an interview with Vogue, Polachek expressed her surprise that her label was happy to lead with "Door" as the first single, explaining "it's such a long and winding song. There are songs on the record that are a bit more twisty and moody. And this one feels like, no pun intended, an open door. It feels like an invitation." Pitchfork listed the song at number 47 for the 100 best songs of 2019.
The following month, she announced that she was to release two more cuts from the album "Ocean of Tears" and "Parachute". With their release sparked the announcement of the album, under the title Pang and its scheduled release period of sometime in fall of 2019. Polachek made both records with Danny L Harle, the sometime collaborator with Charli XCX and Carly Rae Jepsen. A. G. Cook also contributed production to "Ocean of Tears", alongside Valley Girl. Of the song "Parachute", Polachek said in a press release, "It was an incredible moment, realizing that this melody we'd written was unintentionally re-telling a dream I'd been shaken by. I went home, re-drafted the words to fit, and came back to the studio at 1 am to record the vocal the same day. And that's the take we kept. From that moment on, Dan and I knew we had a lot more work to do together."
In September 2019, she released the album's fourth single "So Hot You're Hurting My Feelings", which was co-written with Daniel Nigro and Teddy Geiger. Consequence of Sound reviewed the track with the statement, "While previous tracks "Parachute" and "Ocean of Tears" served up ethereal tones, "So Hot You're Hurting My Feelings" has a little more pep in its step. With a hint of an '80s pop vibe, Polachek's vocals ping-pong off the synths as she sings the refrain". Around the same time, Polachek announced the album's release date of October 18, 2019.

Critical reception

Pang was met with acclaim from music critics upon its release. At Metacritic, the album received a score of 82 out of 100 based on 14 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".
In the review for AllMusic, Matt Collar suggested that, " Polachek further distills her approach with a collection of deeply emotive songs that showcase her delicate vocals and intricate pop sensibilities. Helping her achieve this deft balance of art and emotion is British producer Danny L. Harle. Together, they craft arrangements that straddle the line between moody electronica and adult contemporary pop."
PublicationAccoladeRank
DazedThe 20 Best Albums of 20191
Exclaim!20 Best Pop and Rock Albums of 2019
GQ MagazineThe Best Albums of 2019N/A
The GuardianThe 50 Best Albums of 201911
PasteThe 50 Best Albums of 201937
PopMattersThe 70 Best Albums of 201945
UproxxThe 35 Best Pop Albums of 201919
ViceThe 100 Best Albums of 201941

Track listing

Notes
On April 11, 2020, Polachek released a version of the album on Bandcamp featuring instrumental versions of every track.

Charts