Music Review: Does You Inspire You

Caroline Polachek, Chairlift's deadpan singer, elevates cool intensity to a fine art in this spellbinding debut.

—By

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This Brooklyn trio adds its own creeping unease to familiar synth-pop sounds on its spellbinding debut. With subtle shifts of tone, deadpan singer Caroline Polachek elevates cool intensity to a fine art: In the ominous "Garbage" she oozes contempt, reciting a list of trash that begins, "Your condoms and your vcr"; on the bouncy "Evident Utensil" she chirps softly, "How hard must I try for you?," hinting at deep resentment. And when she erupts in funky shouting on "Make Your Mind Up," Polachek is riveting. More of that next time, please.

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