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Freeplay: Polopop
By Cassie Hood
hoodc@mscd.edu

Polopop Pink (Self-released, 1999)

Kaye Brewster has found an alternative for the psychiatric treatment of multiple personality disorder. No medication or overpriced therapy sessions are needed. Dual personalities are treated by allowing them to express themselves in musical form.

Brewster has two aliases: Kaye and Polopop. Each alias expresses a different sound. Kaye offers serene Celtic folk songs, while Polopop spices up the night by adding synthesized noises and sound loops. All of Brewster’s music is entertaining, but Pink is the album that really stands out.

“Princess of Twee” derives its name from twee, a type of pop music started in the ’90s described as intensely sweet bubblegum pop. From that spawned the use of twee to describe a person who is overly precious, someone who makes others want to gag. The song follows this equation perfectly. Polopop’s dulcet vocals are sticky enough, but add in her honey-filled keyboards, and the song is a toothache waiting to happen. Though the lyrics aren’t deep and meaningful, they describe a girl so sickeningly nice that she is, indeed, the princess of twee.

Throwing all kind-hearted noises out the door, “Like a Lion” pumps up the volume on the album. Polopop sounds pissed off and ready for a fight. Her voice, although still sultry, has a razor-sharp edge to it, and the electro-pop in the background has an industrial sonancy to it. It sounds like something played in a club’s basement on goth night, as dark and dreary as its surroundings.
“ Time” follows the typical techno formula: Basic drumbeats piled one on top of the other, synth keyboards to add a touch of class, and a happy-go-lucky main riff. Polopop’s voice is the only thing that saves it. She breaks away from the normal and puts in her own Celtic twist. Suave and charming, “Time” starts out disappointing but gets better as the seconds tick away.

The hypnotic trance that “Funky Feet” causes makes this song the perfect anthem for raver kids everywhere. It preaches the needs of the dance culture, while still keeping to a theme of love.
Polopop or Kaye, whichever name best suits her, has an angelic voice and immense talent. She may not have a record label to support her, but her Korg synthesizer and computer will do just fine.