★★★★★
Released May 6, 2013
Little Boots sophomore album takes the path of a new direction but doesn’t reach its destination..

“As charmingly catchy as they are, the songs leave a nagging feeling that they’ve been heard before. Nocturnes lacks a distinctive identity to distinguish it from its contemporaries… “

Dramatic Electronic Pop.

Susanne Sundfør on collaborating with M83 for the soundtrack to Oblivion, her work with Röyksopp, and the UK release of her back catalogue.

“I started making songs when I was 17, because all the guys in my music high school who made their own music got a lot of attention. I wanted attention too, and I wanted to be able to live off of my own music, so I guess that’s why I started.”

As Yet Untitled.

Andrew Darley talks to Ladytron’s lead singer Helen Marnie about her new solo album and what she’s posted on PledgeMusic in order to make it happen.

“I knew I wanted it to be quite pop and song based. I also wanted it to be personal and emotive. I hope that comes across.”

It’s Consuming Me.

Andrew Darley talks to the young director Kai Staenicke about how his short films navigate the terrain of queer personal relationships, and how that plays out in his latest, It’s Consuming Me.

“I want my films to transfer something, whether it’s a message, an impulse or an emotion. I don’t want them to be meaningless. So of course I’d like to think of my films as statements. For all different kinds of things. Mostly for being who you are.”

Doing It Herself.

Andrew Darley talks to the fascinating musician George Pringle about her new album, Golfo dei Poeti, and her unique approach to writing experimental music.

“There is something very primal about singing. It’s like crying when you can’t speak.”

★★★★★
Released April 8, 2013
Sarah Blasko’s fourth album explores the joys and struggles involved in finding oneself, and is her best yet.

“I Awake is Sarah Blasko’s most fully-realised and compelling offering to date. The album is expansive in its approach, the music and the sentiments she devolves through it. Her writing has reached a place where it holds a mirror up to herself and her audience.”

Queer Music.

“I’ve never had anyone say ‘No you’re gay, you’re singing about gay love, this doesn’t suit our venue’. But I know I have missed out on oppurtunities because of the content of my music and the way I’m presenting it as an openly gay artist.”

★★★★★
Released December 12, 2012
Röyksopp’s collaboration with Norwegian singer-songwriter Susanne Sundfør is beautiful and haunting.

“Starting with a sobering piano and lamenting “burning houses and trees”, the song gradually builds up momentum with whirling synthesizers and choral chants, while leaving the scene’s destruction behind. “

Björk, ‘Pluto’

To mark LGBT History Month, 2013, Polari asked its contributors to recall a song that had an impact their own stories.

“The song’s metaphor of destroying oneself to start over brand new left a huge impression on me. I clung to the idea of being able to redefine your own identity and make new beginnings for yourself.”

To Be or Not To Be.

Andrew Darley is asked why he wants to be a godfather to his brother’s as-yet-to-be-conceived child and puzzles over his answer.

“It wasn’t until a close friend of mine outright asked me ‘Why would you want to be a Godfather if you don’t believe in God?’ that I began to mull over it. “