Country : United States Label : Genres and styles : Dream Pop / Experimental / Contemporary / indietronica Year : 2022

POLIÇA – Madness

· by Lyle Hendriks

Madness, the fifth studio album by Minneapolis dream-pop sensation POLIÇA, is finally here—and you’ve probably never heard anything like it. 

Released under Memphis Industries, Madness is the highly-anticipated final chapter of POLIÇA’s current musical era. Combining techno-style drums, unorthodox synth arrangements, and Channy Leaneagh’s soaring vocals, Madness creates a cohesive aesthetic that can only be described as futuristic gloom.

Madness’ triumphs are the arrangement and production throughout its 32 minutes. POLIÇA makes use of an ‘anthropomorphic production tool,’ called “AllOvers(c)” for this project, adding an interesting sonic quality to many of the tracks. Synthscapes and percussion blend in unpredictable ways to create an ethereal, dreamlike sensation, helped greatly by Ryan Olson’s outstanding production.

The title track “Madness” is a standout, with a crushingly sad, yet gorgeous string section offering a rare moment of tangible musicality—elevating the track into a place of visceral emotion, despite the minimalist arrangement backing it. The following track, “Blood,” is probably Madness’ most danceable number, thanks largely to Chris Bierden’s excellent bassline, anchoring the airy mix to a grounded rhythm. 

While the album is a smooth listen, ideal for grey days and rainy evenings at home, it feels as though it never reaches its full potential. You’d be forgiven for not noticing when Madness is over, as it finishes without much fanfare or finality. Even songs that do reach a musical climax, such as “Violence,” are cut off before they can satisfy, leaving a longing for something more. 

It’s fair to say that Madness isn’t overly concerned with being accessible or commercially viable. Some of its choices won’t be palatable for all listeners, but at no point do they feel unintentional. For an unflinching, flawed, yet beautiful project that blends electronic, dream pop, and R&B, POLIÇA’s Madness shouldn’t be missed.

Latest 360 Content

Transforming Hiroshima mon amour into contemporary opera: Christian Lapointe and Rosa Lind tell the story

Transforming Hiroshima mon amour into contemporary opera: Christian Lapointe and Rosa Lind tell the story

Sparks – MAD!

Sparks – MAD!

“Hiroshima, mon amour”: An Evening to Remember

“Hiroshima, mon amour”: An Evening to Remember

Peter Murphy – Silver Shade

Peter Murphy – Silver Shade

Ken Pomeroy – Cruel World

Ken Pomeroy – Cruel World

Art of the Line: Klangkarussell’s Euro Vision at SAT

Art of the Line: Klangkarussell’s Euro Vision at SAT

Festival des Saveurs | Closing With Reggae

Festival des Saveurs | Closing With Reggae

Centroamérica – a powerful docu-play about truth and connection in an age of distance and denial

Centroamérica – a powerful docu-play about truth and connection in an age of distance and denial

Lido Pimienta – La Belleza

Lido Pimienta – La Belleza

Tamir Barzilay – Phosphene Journal

Tamir Barzilay – Phosphene Journal

The best ‘’Candlelight concert‘’ ever.

The best ‘’Candlelight concert‘’ ever.

Men I Trust – Equus Caballus

Men I Trust – Equus Caballus

The Halluci Nation – Path of the Baby Face

The Halluci Nation – Path of the Baby Face

A lap steel guitar choir and an angel to end the Innovations en concert 24-25 season

A lap steel guitar choir and an angel to end the Innovations en concert 24-25 season

The OSM and Abel Selaocoe: Evenings When You’d Like to Stop Time

The OSM and Abel Selaocoe: Evenings When You’d Like to Stop Time

Reaching for the sky: Francis Choinière’s challenge to end his OPCM’s 10th season

Reaching for the sky: Francis Choinière’s challenge to end his OPCM’s 10th season

Piknic 3: A Little Bit of Everything Under the Sun

Piknic 3: A Little Bit of Everything Under the Sun

Cazzu – Latinaje

Cazzu – Latinaje

Stereolab – Instant Holograms On Metal Film

Stereolab – Instant Holograms On Metal Film

SMCQ | In memoriam Jocelyn Morlock

SMCQ | In memoriam Jocelyn Morlock

Abbey Road at Festival Classica

Abbey Road at Festival Classica

Mira Choquette – Hier encore

Mira Choquette – Hier encore

Jared Dunn; Anna Gorecka – Gorecki’s World of the Piano

Jared Dunn; Anna Gorecka – Gorecki’s World of the Piano

Subscribe to our newsletter