"Dang" was written and produced by Polachek in collaboration with Danny L Harle and Cecile Believe. The single was recorded during the studio sessions for Polachek's second album under her own name, Desire, I Want to Turn Into You, released in February 2023. In spring 2023, A. G. Cook dropped it into one of his DJ sets. Polachek officially started teasing the song in September of the same year.[1]
The track samples audio from a viral 2020 video of Polachek screaming at geese in Hyde Park. The single cover also references the video, with Polachek's right arm painted like a mute swan. The hyperpop song features "metallic, lockstep beat that recalls early Sophie, [...] nonsensical imagery, namechecking Mary Poppins and lamenting spilt milk", cascading violins, Polachek's deadpan vocals and screams, and Danny L Harle's baby daughter Nico's giggle sampled from "Bunny Is a Rider".[1][2]
Release
While a leaked version of "Dang" had been circulating online for months, Polachek officially debuted the track on October 17, 2023 in a live performance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Polachek's performance of the single utilized a slide show presentation and a chalkboard-inspired backdrop.[1][3] A limited run of T-shirts featuring slides from the performance went on sale on Polachek's website, with 100% of profits donated to UNRWA to help Palestinian refugees.[4]
Critical reception
Peyton Toups of Pitchfork characterized "Dang" as a "transfixing...mishmash of nonsensical imagery and surprise elements" and observed that the single marked a new stylistic direction for Polachek.[2] Similarly noting the "harsher hyperpop" sound of the single, Alex Hudson of Exclaim! listed "Dang" as one of the publication's staff picks.[3]
