"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]

"Butterfly Net"
Single by Caroline Polachek featuring Weyes Blood
from the album Desire, I Want to Turn Into You: Everasking Edition
ReleasedFebruary 7, 2024 (2024-02-07)
Genre
Length4:36
5:33 (remix)
LabelPerpetual Novice
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Polachek
  • Harle
Caroline Polachek singles chronology
"Dang"
(2023)
"Butterfly Net"
(2024)
"Starburned and Unkissed"
(2024)
Weyes Blood singles chronology
"Children of the Empire"
(2023)
"Butterfly Net"
(2024)

Background and release

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"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

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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 Magazine's 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.[7]

References

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