Pang
by Caroline Polachek
  • Record Label: N/A
  • Release Date: Oct 18, 2019
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
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  1. AllMusic
    Feb 3, 2020
    90
    Polachek further distills her approach with a collection of deeply emotive songs that showcase her delicate vocals and intricate pop sensibilities.
  2. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Oct 25, 2019
    90
    With a less captivating vocalist, this kind of genre-hopping might have felt inconsistent, a potpourri in constant motion, too scattered to register an impact. But Polachek’s range, her penchant for leaving her gasps and deep breaths in her vocal tracks, her carefully thought-over phrasing — these tie Pang together into one very earwormy book of spells.
  3. The Line of Best Fit
    Oct 18, 2019
    90
    Pang is a remarkable debut album assured of its legitimacy and brilliance, one that should be celebrated for its shimmering beauty and the success of its authorial intent.
  5. The 405
    Oct 28, 2019
    80
    Although she’s got a considerable back catalogue behind her, and she’s not exactly reinventing herself here, this feels like a new beginning for Caroline Polachek – and it’s an unmitigated delight and success.
  6. The 405
    Oct 28, 2019
    80
    Although she’s got a considerable back catalogue behind her, and she’s not exactly reinventing herself here, this feels like a new beginning for Caroline Polachek – and it’s an unmitigated delight and success.
  7. Q Magazine
    Oct 22, 2019
    80
    More of these slinky, emotional outpourings please. [Dec 2019, p.113]
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  8. Paste Magazine
    Oct 21, 2019
    80
    The most sublime moments on Pang match the all-cylinders feeling of falling into new love, each neuron so stimulated by the feeling that they threaten to overload and collapse entirely.
  9. New Musical Express (NME)
    Oct 18, 2019
    80
    She’s combined the joy of Chairlift, the atmospheric mastery of Ramona Lisa and the experimentalism of CEP. The result is a Caroline Polachek record in its most distilled and fully realised form.
  10. The Guardian
    Oct 18, 2019
    80
    It’s not all so nuanced and well-written, though. Hey Big Eyes is tepid trip-hop, and Ocean of Tears is as gratingly overwrought as its title, even if Polachek’s vocal control is as exceptional here as it is throughout. But overall, Pang is a vivid and melodious portrait of a restless heart.
  11. Exclaim
    Oct 18, 2019
    80
    It is great to see Caroline Polachek giving a go at being an independent pop artist, and this album makes it feasible that she one day becomes a household name in the genre.
  12. Pitchfork
    Oct 18, 2019
    73
    Pang is such a coherent musical statement that when something doesn’t fit, it stands out. Polachek restructured the album somewhat late, swapping out five songs; what’s left is a sweeping, delicately latticed album with a few odd pop songs. They’re not bad pop songs.
  13. No Ripcord
    Nov 12, 2019
    70
    Best listened to sad and lonely in your bedroom, Pang is the perfect dance album for smart and sensitive boys and girls after their day’s journaling are done.
  14. Sputnikmusic
    Nov 27, 2019
    60
    An album this tepid--which is to say, not completely tepid, but tepid enough--from a talent that immense, though, can only register as a minor failure. She can do better. The sonic virtues of her performance on Pang, however mixed, guarantee that I'll be listening.
  15. The Observer (UK)
    Oct 21, 2019
    60
    This record is just shy of being truly groundbreaking. Polachek remains too much of a class act, a little too wedded to conventional beauty on songs like Look At Me Now, to really take her pop to the bleeding edge.

Awards & Rankings

85
#85 Best Album of 2019
36
#36 Most Discussed Album of 2019

User Reviews

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User Score
8.8

Universal acclaim- based on 188 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 170 out of 188
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 188
  3. Negative: 14 out of 188
  1. fameiniv
    Oct 19, 2019
    10
    This is the album I’ve been waiting for all my life. The next level of music. Caroline is an artist we truly don’t deserve!
  2. mika_flk
    Oct 20, 2019
    10
    A review of every song on PANG:

    The Gate: Dreamy production combined with the ethereal sounding voice of Caroline makes a great    A review of every song on PANG:

    The Gate:
    Dreamy production combined with the ethereal sounding voice of Caroline makes a great introduction to the album.

    Pang:
    I always have very low expectations for the title track of any album. Pang however is an incredible pop song and definitely exceeded those expectations.

    New Normal:
    This song is so clever to me. It shows that no real structure is needed to make a good song. The production also really shines through on this track.

    Hit Me Where It Hurts:
    Definitely one of my absolute favourites on the album. The intro, the production, the lyrics, the vocals, the bridge; everything is just immaculate.

    I Give Up:
    Caroline’s voice is the star of this track. Add some good lyrics, electric guitar and a catchy hook to it and you get a great song like ‘I Give Up’.

    Look At Me Now:
    This song is a fresh breath of air. The abrupt switch from the indie/electronic-pop sound to folk music is really well done. I needed a few listens to get used to it, but I really appreciate this track.

    Insomnia:
    This track blew me away the first time I listened to it. Her vocal range is incredible. This together with the eerie production makes it a standout to me.

    Ocean of Tears:
    This song is one of the reasons why I keep coming back to the album. It really summarises the feeling you get while listening to the album. The inventive lyrics, crazy PC Music production, non-lyrical chorus, extraordinary vocals; there’s really nothing bad to say about this song.

    Hey Big Eyes:
    I would say that this is my least favourite track on the album. The beginning is really reminiscent of the Ramona Lisa era. But the chorus is what makes me dislike this track. I think A. G. Cook’s production doesn’t really fit the feel of the rest of the album, but it’s not a terrible song.

    Go As a Dream:
    This song really captures the essence of what dreams feel like. I catch myself closing my eyes and swaying to the melody every time I listen to it. Caroline could sing me to sleep with ‘Go As a Dream’; one of my personal favourites off of ‘PANG’.

    Caroline Shut Up:
    Somehow this track feels like a futuristic Christmas song to me. Danny L Harle’s production is perfectly done and matches Caroline’s clever lyrics and gorgeous vocals really well.

    So Hot You’re Hurting My Feelings:
    This song has a special place in my heart. This song is how I discovered Caroline’s music. It’s the perfect mix of nostalgic and futuristic sounds. If you want to introduce someone to Caroline’s music, I recommend you use this song.

    Door:
    Caroline’s storytelling and the surrealistic sounding production create such an intriguing sound. No one is doing it like Caroline and this track really shows her creativity. It also has me singing the chorus over and over to myself, it’s so catchy.

    Parachute:
    As a vocalist, Caroline is not to be underestimated and it shows on this track especially. ‘Parachute’ is an example of beautiful vocals matched with insane production and creative lyrics. An outstanding outro to this album.

    From start to finish, PANG is an amazing album and Caroline deserves a Grammy for it. This is my Album Of The Year.    … Full Review »
  3. tulhu
    Oct 19, 2019
    10
    Dazzling vocals and remarkble production (especially when it comes to mixing and sound engineering). The best debut album of 2019.
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