Blondie Features Sia, Charli XCX, Blood Orange on Essential New Album ‘Pollinator’

Stephanie Hernandez

Revered as one of the most iconic bands to come out of the eclectic 1970s New York music scene, Blondie has been anything but boring. Mixing the unexpected – garage rock with disco, Latin with hip hop, reggae with new wave punk – Debbie Harry has led this group of misfits to commercial and critical success worldwide. Now decades later, surviving the countless changes in trends, these pioneers stand on the heels of their 11th studio album release, “Pollinator.” Coming just two years after the release of “Ghost of Download” that celebrated their 40th anniversary, “Pollinator” is not only a triumph musically but an homage to the industry itself. The last album to be recorded in New York’s famed studio, The Magic Shop, known for producing the last two great works of David Bowie, seemed just the right fit to light their creative spark. An album filled to the brim with impressive collaborations, Debbie Harry, Chris Stein, and Clem Burke found themselves in good company. Vibrant and full of color and texture, “Pollinator’s” 11 tracks remind us why we fell in love with Blondie 40 years ago – They’re truly and beautifully unpredictable.

Without a doubt their most collaborative album to date, Blondie enlisted the help of over a dozen friends to make their mark on “Pollinator.” The list of collaborators includes everyone from singer/songwriters Sia, Charli XCX, Dev Hynes (Blood Orange), Dave Sitek (TV On The Radio), Johnny Marr, Nick Valensi (The Strokes) and Joan Jett. At the helm stands seasoned producer John Congleton, his touch is apparent from the start, ensuring the sound though varied never jolts out of line. The energy created by these artists coming together is simply electrifying. Opening with rollicking “Doom or Destiny,” the guitar-laden rock anthem just makes you feel good. Harkening back to their heyday, “Long Time” is reminiscent of their legendary track “Heart of Glass,” sealed off with a purposeful bass line and funky 80s-style synth and changing things up a bit all the while remaining true to the sound that hooked all of us in decades ago. Johnny Marr’s signature atmospheric guitar work pairs with Harry’s falsetto perfectly; “My Monster” prevents the dreaded mid-album slump. Rounding things out with the Sia and Nick Valensi penned track, “Best Day Ever,” it becomes apparent Blondie can pull off just about anything, even fast-paced, cheeky guitar pop. Sounding as fresh as ever, the record continues to weave through each collaboration managing to both make each track stand out while still being able to construct a seamless tapestry of sound. New territory charted by familiar friends, it is easy to be enveloped in “Pollinator’s” warm embrace.

A modern take on their classic sound, it is apparent that Blondie continues to be extremely relevent to music scene they helped create years ago. Embracing a wide range of genres and stylistic choices, “Pollinator” feels like an album made for friends by friends. “Their material is part of us, and we are part of them; it’s a celebration of recycling!” Harry entertains the idea that Blondie is better when blended with their peers, an opinion hard to disagree with. Not ones to lose their spark, it speaks to Blondie’s pure unadulterated talent that 40 years later they are still cranking out music just as badass as their old school classic hits. Equal parts irreverent and essential, Blondie’s “Pollinator” is nothing if not a reminder that the spirit of rock and roll is still alive and well. The torch may have changed hands, but they still sit on the throne.

“Pollinator” is available on Apple Music May 5.