Photograph by Graham Tolbert

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   An aura of anticipation has formed around Polica.  It’s filled with the heady expectations of people who feel they’re about to witness something significant and unique.  Since the band only recently formed, and hasn’t released anything more than a few digital tracks and this live performance of “Wandering Star”, it’s reasonable to say the hype has a lot to do with the band’s associations.  Among those who are behind Polica’s production, management, and promotion are Ryan Olson (Eau Claire native) of Gayngs, Kyle Frenette of Amble Down Records, and Nate Vernon, who is brother and tour manager to Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon.  And the band itself is a conglomerate of several prominent Twin Cities bands – Marijuana Death Squad, Digitata, and Vampire Hands.  Not to mention lead singer Channy Cassell, who contributed heavily to Gayngs, as well as co-fronting the recently disbanded folk act Roma Di Luna.

All of this helps explain the buzz and serves as one hell of a positive résumé for Polica, but it remains to be seen over the next several months whether or not the band can sustain their considerable momentum.  Despite the uncertainty, there are some favorable indications that they will be able to do just that:  enter “Dark Star.”

The track is a danceable blend of soul and  trip-hop – taking the grimier side of Massive Attack and adding the brooding lyrics and tactile instrumentation of Portishead – but “Dark Star” has an overall feel that is much more relaxed than either influence.  Cassell manipulates her voice using AutoTune (a fixture in the band’s setup) in a way that ideally accents her soul-singer delivery, opening up a range of subtle variations that can be applied to the lyrical hooks as they are repeated.  Because the presence of the AutoTune is so striking, it’s easy to perceive Polica as more electronic then they really are.  But the meat of the track (bass and drums) is live instruments, which contributes to the lack of tension in the groove.

More apparent and more crucial than anything I have written in the article so far is the inherent sex appeal in Cassell’s vocal style, which of course constitutes a force that could render entire city blocks jelly from the waist down.  After stating this, the most essential fact, I can only direct you to the track above and whatever you can find on their website.  The album, Give You The Ghost, doesn’t drop until Valentine’s Day 2012 out of Totally Gross Nation Product.  They’ve got the Mainroom at First Avenue for a release show on said <3 day, you can buy tickets here, and with haste; their shows have been selling out.