Desire, I Want To Turn Into You is a giddy record, making genre right-turns at breakneck speed, causing whiplash to the casual listener. In that sense, it’s a proper old-school pop record, emphasising singles or big songs instead of a unified piece of art. If ‘Bunny Is a Rider’ into ‘Sunset’ doesn’t flip your mind to the 80s or subsequent records paying homage to those times, you’ve either never lived or you live in less interesting times. The recurring glitches and breakbeats place it in the modern era, but the songs aim for a timeless feel.
Of course, Caroline’s vocal agility grounds everything, making every genre or sound a backdrop to her dexterity, as displayed in ‘I Believe’. Fans will love it, but even doubters will marvel at the ambition on display. Some albums present themselves instantly, and there’s nothing left to uncover after you listen once. That’s not the case here; this could run for all of 2023.
Grimes and Dido make an appearance, but the lead artist is firmly in control, even if, to the outsider, it doesn’t look as though there is a mapped-out direction. That’s fine: sometimes the journey is the most important thing.
Desire, I Want To Turn Into You is out now on Perpetual Novice
