Polaris Rose: Perfect view (from Telescopes, 2014)

Polaris Rose delivers a dynamic crash course in alternative rock on their full length debut album, “Telescopes” due out on November 11, 2014. The duo, consisting of Peter Anthony and Madelynn Elyse, combine emotional melodies and jarring instrumentation for a unique and experimental mix of tracks that make up their debut album. With the critical success of their seminal EP, OceanSongs, they received praise from publications like LA Deli Magazine, who named them “Artist of the Month.”  Their DIY approach has allowed them full creative freedom, leaving them to do all the songwriting and producing on “Telescopes,” so that the album itself became a true reflection of the band and it’s aesthetic. Each song is a testament to their talent, laced with lyrical motifs, from the fantastical descriptions of outer space to the stories of a doomed, endless search. Add to that the layers of vocals and atmospheric experimentation, it all comes together on ten extraordinary tracks you won’t be able to stop listening to. 

Upon pushing play, “Perfect View” bursts to life with electric energy that overflows with intensity and esoteric contemplation. A song written about Madelynn and Peter’s cross-country move to Los Angeles, it slams into the listener with a deep emotional impact. On “Blue” they take a trip backwards, remembering an unloving relationship and the strength it took to overcome the emotional morass. Madelynn takes the lead, allowing her breathless vocals to spin across the beat that thumps with a laidback bustle. Dueling vocals appear on the swelling “Telescopes,” one of the first songs written for the album, and one that served as a guiding light throughout. An ascending vocal arc slams up against guitars as they sing of the tale about a lost searcher who desperately seeks the light of the stars, but will never catch them. Jumping forward, “Cityscapes” starts quietly, with guitars that shimmer like moonlight on water. Suddenly, the guitars explode into an electric river that howls beneath the songs anthem, "We should live our lives drinking deeply from a glass of ocean waves.” The playful  “PonyTail” develops into an outpouring of emotional melodic sparkle that is impossible to get out of your head. It’s a love song gone wrong, with tongue-and-cheek lyrics that seem to laugh despite their sadness. A real spark of brilliance bursts into a flame on the acidic “Set Me On Fire.” It’s a fascinating, spacious echo of sounds that blast through the harrowing “oo’s” of the chorus, clashing with a rhythmic pounding that shakes you to your core. A melodic finale to an energetic collection of songs. 

On their debut full length album, Polaris Rose allow an influx of influences to further define their cohesive yet experimental sound. While they continue to add their dramatic flair, tempered harmonies, and dynamic instrumentation to each and every track; they never cease to search out opportunities to discover something new.