Caroline Polachek Shares New Single, “Billions”
Photo by Nedda Afsari
It’s been a while since we’ve heard from Caroline Polachek, who last popped up on our radar in July with “Bunny is a Rider,” one of our favorite 2021 tracks, and the first follow-up to 2019’s Pang. Now, she’s returned to show us that our patience was worth it with new single “Billions,” which arrives accompanied by a video co-directed by Polachek and Matt Copson.
The track begins as what seems like a return to the dreamier electro-pop moments on Pang, but steps apart from what’s expected as it progresses and reaches its final, otherworldly crescendo with the chant of “I never felt so close to you,” sung in a stilted round by a children’s choir. “Billions” sees Polachek attempting to transcend anything that’s tethered her to earth on previous releases, hinting that the view from up there isn’t as perfect as she would’ve expected: “Headless angel / Body upgraded / But it’s dead on arrival,” she sings on the song’s bridge. Each piece of the song adds up something addictive and ethereal in equal measure.
Polachek is currently on tour in North America, mainly in a support slot on Dua Lipa’s ongoing tour, where she’ll also share the stage with Megan Thee Stallion and Lolo Zoaui, but she’ll also be playing her own solo dates scattered across the country during the tour. Over the summer, she’ll also be hitting the festival circuit, which include sets at Coachella, Primavera Sound and All Points East.
Check out the video for “Billions” below, and keep scrolling for Chairlift’s 2010 Paste session and Polachek’s touring schedule for 2022.