On the heels of the “Sunset” video, Caroline Polachek continues to intensify the anticipation of her fourth solo record, Desire, I Want to Turn Into You (a title that automatically makes The Sandman fans think of Polachek wanting to turn into Mason Alexander Park’s portrayal of Desire). Slated for a Valentine’s Day 2023 release, the record has thus far proven to possess nothing but bop after bop (“Billions” and “Bunny Is A Rider” included), with “Welcome to My Island” being the latest example.
Co-produced by Danny L Harle, Dan Nigro (presently of Olivia Rodrigo repute), James Stack and Charli XCX favorite A. G. Cook, the capriciousness of the sonic landscape is likely a result of so many “minds” involved. To add to that caprice is a video co-directed by Polachek and her current boyfriend, Matt Copson, as they take us on yet another indelible visual safari. One that mirrors the lyrical buffet Polachek is known for serving up. This time around, Polachek seems to be tapping into the classic narrative from The Odyssey that focuses on Circe. Hence, the opening lines (with more than just a slightly goading tone) of the single: “Welcome to my island/See the palm trees wave in the wind/Welcome to my island/Hope you like me, you ain’t leavin’.” Of course, Odysseus could have left at any time, really. For he was given the magic herb of “moly” (yes, it sounds like something else) by Hermes to stave off any effect that Circe’s “witchery” (/potion) might have on him. While the crew of men from his boat were already turned into swine by the time he arrived at Circe’s Hall, impervious-to-her-magic Odysseus is able to make the enchantress promise not to harm the men and to release them from their porcine form.
After Circe obeys, Odysseus and his crew end up staying “entertained” on the island for an entire year of their own volition. And Odysseus likely would have kept on staying were it not for the influence of his “friends” telling him to “shake off his trance” and get back to the business of returning to Ithaca. What a fool move that was, for he could have stayed chillin’ in paradise with a woman who was into all the freaky shit. But, of course, Odysseus’ “desire” to leave parallels, in many ways, the Garden of Eden narrative, with human nature constantly leading a person to seek “excitement” when “bored” (often synonymous with being relegated to “paradise”—a word itself that borders on a fine line between heaven and hell).
In the “Welcome to My Island” video, Polachek is sure to emphasize the Circe connection with a close-up shot on her face during the intro as she sings nothing but sweet notes of luring in lieu of actual lyrics. The manner in which she’s filmed also makes it look as though she’s enjoying orgasm-induced ecstasy, whether being fucked by someone else or simply masturbating. The video then cuts to a scene of Polachek in a coffee shop, sporting a giant black bow in the style of Lana Del Rey on the cover of Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd. But that’s about the only scene of “normalcy” before things get really fantastical, including yet another nod to Greek mythology wherein Polachek’s head is mounted onto the body of the Chimera of Arezzo sculpture.
Another cut to Polachek running through a construction-laden street reminds one of that whimsical scene in The Worst Person in the World where Julie (Renate Reinsve) is also running—women love to fucking run, and who can blame them when there’s so much scary shit in this life to run from? But, in Polachek’s case, this is a run of joy, freedom and jubilance as she recites part of the album title-alluding chorus, “Desire, I wanna turn into you.” And, if she can’t turn into that, she can always settle for being a walking “quirk monster” as we then segue into a Lascaux-esque cave where Polachek proceeds to make shadow puppets on the wall. Then, she’s walking through a room with pottery-filled shelves before we see liquid bursting out of her mouth against the backdrop of a volcano also exploding. Meta indeed.
More moments displaying the whimsical and weird ensue when Polachek proceeds to dance on a tabletop decorated with candelabra, followed by her appearance amid a sea of sperm. Something Circe herself could likely relate to, what with constantly being up to her neck in dick. And all from the comfort of her own island, Aeaea.
Another close-up shot on Polachek’s face (complete with the aforementioned oversized black bow in her hair) emphasizes the importance of her saying, “I am my father’s daughter in the end.” If speaking from Circe’s perspective, that would be Helios. Who, according to Polachek, told Circe, “Watch your ego, watch your head, girl/You’re so smart, so talented/But now the water’s turning red/And it’s all your fault and it’s all your mess/And you’re all alone and can’t go to bed/Too high on your adrenaline.” And residual horniness from all that time spent with easy access to Odysseus, ultimately gone forever because she was foolish enough to adhere to the adage, “If you love someone, set them free.” Though he was “kind” enough to leave her with some sons, including Latinus and Telegonus. But obviously, Circe’s ego being what it is, that’s hardly a consolation. Thus, Polachek, in the paternal tone of the song’s bridge, continues with some more tough love via the advice, “Forget the rules, forget your friends/Just you and your reflection/‘Cause nothing’s gonna be the same again/No, nothing’s gonna be the same again.” How very Harry Styles saying, “You know it’s not the same as it was” in reference to post-pandemic existence.
And it clearly never will be the same again for Polachek after running along the beach of this island in question as she holds the “hand” of some creature with a hoof. The only point of view we see is from the hoofed being’s, whose “arm” is guided by Polachek through the sand as they frolic and cavort in a way that Dionysus surely would approve of. The video concludes with a contrasting image of normalcy (which was the same way it started): Polachek waiting to get on a subway. The mythological-in-its-own-right L.A. subway. So, in that sense, Polachek never ceases with the motif of myth throughout this particular song and video. And maybe even Circe would deign to ride the subway in Los Angeles if it meant securing some fresh “pork” for her deserted island.
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