POLIÇA, founded by vocalist Channy Leaneagh and producer Ryan Olson out of the ashes of Minneapolis collective Gayngs, and featuring Drew Christopherson, and Ben Ivascu on drums and Chris Bierden on bass, came seemingly from nowhere with their debut ‘Give You The Ghost’, released in April 2012 and which became one of that year’s most beloved albums.
Born out of a tumultuous, head spinning subsequent 18 months POLIÇA released their second album Shulamith in October 2013, the album named in homage to pioneering feminist activist and thinker Shulamith Firestone with cover banned by Apple and hit singles including “Chain My Name” and the Justin Vernon featuring “Tiff”.
Musically, ‘Shulamith’ demonstrated an increased mastery and extension of the unique sonic palette that POLIÇA mined on their debut album. The recording process was naturally a more collaborative process than their debut, with the band reacting to and working off Olsen’s beats, drawing on elements of R&B, electronica and dub to create a sound that, already, this early in their career, is uniquely and identifiably their own. Leaneagh’s continued exploration of, and increased control over the effects processor to manipulate and enhance her already outstanding voice take her vocals to new and unusual heights.
'Shulamith' reaffirmed POLIÇA as one of the most fascinating and vital groups in forward-thinking pop. Ultimately, Channy succinctly summed up the ideas and themes behind ‘Shulamith’, and POLIÇA as follows: “Drums. Bass. Synths. Me, Women”.
2023 marks 10 years since the release of 'Shulamith' and this double LP edition comes on blue opaque vinyl.
TRACK LISTING
Chain My Name
Smug
Vegas
Warrior Lord
Very Cruel
Torre
Trippin
Tiff (featuring Justin
Vernon)
Spilling Lines
Matty
I Need $
So Leave