UK Post-Hardcore band Polar are set to release their fifth studio album entitled Everywhere, Everything on January 13th. The band’s vocalist Adam Woodford took the time to talk with Metal Express Radio about the band’s upcoming album, his love for the Deftones, the music scene in the UK, and more. Check out the chat below!
Metal Express Radio: Polar’s fifth studio album entitled Everywhere, Everything is set to be released January 13th, what can you tell fans about the upcoming album?
Woodford: The album consists of a variety of self-reflective moments within one’s life. These can be moments of clarity, admission, guilt or reflection, that have shaped the person one becomes. There is a far wider expanse to life that when seen can give a far better perspective on how one has led their life to this very moment. The feeling that within life there will be the most terrible of tragedies to the most beautiful of moments that can be shared with others in that exact time, remembrance of a better time and admission of who was there at that exact moment, even what they meant and do mean to someone in the present. The record was written through the pandemic and instead of focusing on the virus and what effect it was having on humanity, we really focused on the human connection and the constantly changing relationships we have with our friends, loved ones and each other. Lyrically this has given the record a dark and light element, as we explored the positives and negatives that we have experienced and how they have influenced each song and how those situations made us feel emotionally. This is the first Polar record written with the current lineup made up Fabian Lomas (Guitar) Gav Thane (Bass) Noah See (Drums) and with a fresh perspective and new ideas, we have created the strongest and most dynamic music to date.
MER: What was the writing and recording process like, being the band’s fifth album?
Woodford: When we decided to start the process of making the new record, we set a deadline of six months and in total the process took two and half years. We were very lucky to have Romesh Dodangoda on board to produce and engineer the record but we had to keep pushing the recording sessions back due to heavy restrictions with travelling and the lockdown. This record was full of the highest of highs and the most brutal of lows, not only were we creating a record together for the first time we had to adapt to writing the record remotely. We are very proud of the record we created but it came at a price. All our personal mental states at times were so low, that we wouldn’t find middle ground on ideas and we would not talk for weeks. We truly suffered for our art but as the process moved forward, the restrictions eased and we could finally be together and feed off each other and give the songs energy and life. All the moments of stress and hardship felt completely worth it hearing back music we had created. We love and respect each other but the process really took a toll on our friendship and what hasn’t killed us has only made us stronger and hungry to survive. This record really reflects that determination to fight our way out of the darkest corners to find the light again with the power of being creative.
MER: You’ve released four songs from the album, what kind of feedback have you received?
Woodford: Truly overwhelming, when we went silent on all our social media platforms, and this was only supposed to be for six months but with the recording taking a lot longer it meant we disappeared for a longer period. We wrestled with the thoughts of the band no longer having its place and if people would remember us and the response and words of support have filled our hearts and we are forever grateful.
MER: How would you compare Everywhere, Everything to Polar’s previous four albums?
Woodford: It’s a progression and elevation to previous records and this is thanks to the fresh perspectives and ideas of Gav and Noah. Coming together we explored the key to elements of Polar’s sound but with fresh ideas we broke the mould more than we ever have in certain songs. Vocals, we pushed the melody and the use of clean voice and balancing that with screaming, more so than previous records. We really feel we arrived in full form with this record.
MER: What are your plans going into 2023?
Woodford: To tour as much as we possibly can, we haven’t been on the road since 2020 and we want to take our new record everywhere.
MER: Is there anyone that you hope to tour with that you haven’t yet and why?
Woodford: I think collectively we would want to tour with Deftones, for me without Chino I wouldn’t be doing what I do today. He was a huge inspiration for me when I was growing up. It would be a huge tick off the bucket list to be able to share a stage with them.
MER: How would you describe the music scene in the UK?
Woodford: It’s in full bloom and we are really producing some game changing bands. There is a feeling that the rest of the world is really invested and excited for what the UK music scene has been producing. Bands like Architects, While She Sleeps and BMTH have been opening doors for all a lot of the up-and-coming acts and artists. The UK scene is alive and well and it’s an amazing feeling to have Polar part of that ever-strengthening pulse.
MER: What have been some of your favorite releases of 2022?
Woodford: There are two releases that I have spinning non-stop since they released:
Fleshwater – We’re Not Here to Be Loved
it has a huge shoe gaze element mixed with a 90s grunge feels to it but with some very cool heavy dynamics which remind me of Deftones first record Adrenaline’ It’s a solid record from start to finish. L S Dunes – Past Lives
Past Lives is post hardcore at its rawest and energetic and drives melody throughout the whole record with some monstrous chorus that will be stuck in your head.
MER: Out of Polar’s five albums, what is one you would recommend to a new fan and why?
Woodford: Every record is part of the journey and would recommend a new fan to listen to them all, as they are all integral to the sound and the music we create today. Our strongest work to date is Everywhere Everything. As an idea, start with this record and work your way back and see how much we have evolved.
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