Caroline Polachek’s ‘Butterfly Net’ was previously on her album Desire, I Want To Turn Into You. Recently, it has been rerecorded, this time featuring Weyes Blood, thus fusing two of the most powerful voices in the indie scene. Polachek and Weyes Blood are both known for their upbeat dancefloor anthems and melancholic reflections on existence, respectively.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBK4qzZNgR0&ab_channel=CarolinePolachek-Topic
‘Butterfly Net’ captures through its melody the ephemeral nature of love and memory. Lyrics such as “I collected stupid ashes / so that after you’d gone / I could hold onto something” are worded simply yet still evoke a feeling of longing.
Polachek’s other songs seem to be more playful, such as ‘So Hot You’re Hurting My Feelings’ and ‘Sunset’. This rerecording of ‘Butterfly Net’ shows that she has a versatile sound palette, and that she can also tackle matters that are more urgent to the heart. Its lyricism is specific enough to indicate a tone and setting, yet broad enough so that it leaves room for listeners to reflect.
It is worth noting that this new version does not include percussion. It is more melody-driven, relying on vocals to paint an image. The musical interlude at the end furthers the ethereal and dreamy aura, with Polachek and Weyes Blood singing beautiful harmonies.
While trying to catch light feels futile, it most certainly is a feat worth writing about, as Polachek sings of in ‘Butterfly Net’.
Words by Marinel Dizon
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