Seraphina Lotkhamnga on August 17th, 2012

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Minneapolis-based Poliça (that’s with a soft “c”) might have released one of the most compelling R&B-influenced albums this year, but it’s hard to get over the fact that every syllable lead singer (and Gayngs member) Channy Leaneagh utters is drenched in heavy auto-tune. Together, producer Ryan Olsen, Bon Iver’s Mike Noyce on additional vocals, live drummers Ben Ivascu and Drew Christopherson, bassist Chris Bierden and Leaneagh have made the record “Give You the Ghost” a lush, seductive and slinky listen. The melodies are strong and graceful, however, the confidence is almost sucked out of the vocal delivery when heavy effects transform gliding into warbling. But then you see the Isaac Gale-directed music video for “Dark Star,” and it makes sense. As much as Poliça’s foundation lies on funk, their sound also sparkles in a very futuristic way. If they’re aiming for a palette that is space and robot-inclined, auto-tune works just fine. “Give You the Ghost” has been re-released this week on Mom + Pop, and their “Dark Star” Remix EP is out now.

||| Live: Poliça plays Aug. 21 at the Echoplex with Supreme Cuts.