Butterfly Net (song) explained

Butterfly Net
Type:single
Artist:Caroline Polachek featuring Weyes Blood
Cover:Caroline Polachek featuring Weyes Blood - Buttefly Net.png
Album:Desire, I Want to Turn Into You: Everasking Edition
Genre:
Length:4:36
5:33 (remix)
Label:Perpetual Novice
Producer:
  • Polachek
  • Harle
Chronology:Caroline Polachek
Prev Title:Dang
Prev Year:2023
Next Title:Starburned and Unkissed
Next Year:2024

"Butterfly Net" is a song by American singer-songwriter Caroline Polachek, included on her fourth studio album Desire, I Want to Turn Into You, released on February 14, 2023. The song was written and produced by Polachek along with Danny L Harle. A remix version featuring American singer Weyes Blood was released on February 7, 2024, as the second single from the reissue of the album, subtitled Everasking Edition.[1]

Background and release

"Butterfly Net" is included on Caroline Polachek's critically-acclaimed fourth studio album Desire, I Want to Turn Into You, a record that was included on many critics' year-end lists, such as from Billboard,[2] The Independent,[3] The Guardian,[4] The New York Times,[5] and DIY Magazine.[6] "Butterfly Net" has a "baroque art-pop" universe.[7] [8]

Polachek first published a part of the remix cover art on her social media accounts on February 6, 2024, with the text "Tomorrow".[9] The following day, the song was surprise-released for digital download and streaming, and in parallel she announced the reissue of the album.[10]

Critical reception

In a review of the standard edition of Desire, I Want to Turn Into You, Rolling Stone critic Maura Johnston described "Butterfly Net" as a "glowing ballad", and praised its "slow-burn instrumentation" and Polachek's "impassioned vocals".[11] For the same magazine, Larisha Paul stated that Weyes Blood's participation on the song is an "exalting appearance".[12]

According to Flood Magazines reviewer Will Schube, both artists "join forces" in a "power ballad-inspired" chorus.[13] The remix was described by Robin Murray for Clash as a "divine duet" and "truly beautiful piece of music" with an "spiritual quality", "more spartan than the avant-pop maximalism of the original album".[14] In a positive review, Lucy Harbron for Far Out gave the remix 3.5 out of 5 stars, and stated that Mering's "deep, velvety sound perfectly contrasts the high-ranging vocal acrobatics Polachek is known for".[15] Stereogum critic Chris Deville also praised Weyes Blood's participation on the track.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Renshaw . David . Caroline Polachek and Weyes Blood join forces on new version of "Butterfly Net" . The Fader . February 15, 2024 . February 7, 2024.
  2. Web site: December 6, 2023 . The 50 Best Albums of 2023: Staff List . February 15, 2024 . Billboard.
  3. Web site: December 15, 2023 . The 30 best albums of 2023, from Olivia Rodrigo to Lana Del Rey . February 15, 2024 . The Independent.
  4. News: Snapes . Laura . Beaumont-Thomas . Ben . December 22, 2023 . The 50 best albums of 2023 – 50 to 1 . The Guardian . February 15, 2024 . 0261-3077.
  5. News: Pareles . Jon . Caramanica . Jon . Zoladz . Lindsay . November 30, 2023 . Best Albums of 2023 . The New York Times . February 15, 2024 . 0362-4331.
  6. Web site: Carter . Daisy . Caroline Polachek to release deluxe version of 'Desire, I Want To Turn Into You' . DIY Magazine . February 15, 2024 . February 7, 2024.
  7. Web site: Deville . Chris . Caroline Polachek & Weyes Blood Share "Butterfly Net" . Stereogum . February 15, 2024 . February 7, 2024.
  8. Web site: Atrapados en la red de Caroline Polachek . RTVE . February 15, 2024 . February 8, 2024 . es.
  9. . carolineplz . 1755034510499156331 . tomorrow.
  10. . carolineplz . 1755332902475489342 . Butterfly Net (Feat. @WeyesBlood) ✵ out now.
  11. Web site: Johnston . Maura . Caroline Polachek's 'Desire, I Want To Turn Into You' Is An Impressive Pop-Science Flex . Rolling Stone . February 15, 2024 . February 16, 2023.
  12. Web site: Paul . Larisha . Caroline Polachek Expands 'Desire, I Want To Turn Into You' With Weyes Blood 'Butterfly Net' Remix . Rolling Stone . February 15, 2024 . February 7, 2024.
  13. Web site: Schube . Will . Caroline Polachek Recruits Weyes Blood for New Single "Butterfly Net" . Flood Magazine . February 15, 2024 . February 7, 2024.
  14. Web site: Murray . Robin . Caroline Polachek, Weyes Blood Combine On 'Butterfly Net' . Clash . February 15, 2024 . February 8, 2024.
  15. Web site: Harbron . Lucy . Caroline Polachek and Weyes Blood team up on new version of 'Butterfly Net' . Far Out . February 15, 2024 . February 8, 2024.