Polymancer: dawling
POLYMANCER’s “dawling” is an acoustic, emotionally charged meditation on love, loss, and the passage of time
by Jack Rush
Earth 1-297’s very own, Polymancer is an alternative artist, a pioneer of his sound, dabbling with deep emotive swells and storytelling that leaves its many interpretive meanings dispersible to limitless imagination.
Making his beginnings from New Delhi, POLY has crafted his sound with inspiration from some of the greats, including Kanye West, Billie Eilish, and FINNEAS. “Kanye always inspires me to do something I haven't tried before, and his production and flows continue to push me,” POLY says, noting the impact these artists have had on his journey. “Billie is a pop genius, and with FINNEAS on the brainstorming, they’re the perfect duo. I sometimes wish I had a sibling who was a musician too!”
It’s this ever-evolving sound and vision that’s at the heart of POLY’s growth. Dream Caching, his debut EP released in 2020, launched him onto the national stage, receiving acclaim from outlets like Rolling Stone’s Hit List and Radio City 91.1. Since then, POLY has expanded his artistry with a wealth of ideas and collaborations across various genres. “I’ve gotten way quicker at creating songs,” he shares. “There’s this thing I call the ‘noodle theory,’ which helped me get into Berklee last year—imagine being in a room filled with noodles, each one a fully ready song. I can take one noodle and stretch it forever, changing genres as it goes.” This playful yet profound approach to music has allowed him to grow and experiment like never before.
POLY’s live performances are a testament to his evolution. “I’ve been playing both with a band and solo,” he explains. “The band is super tight, and we bend genres to fit the live sound. It’s always fun when there's a rock energy to it.” Solo performances, on the other hand, bring a more intimate vibe, either acoustic or paired with a DJ and playback. “The acoustic stuff has been a hit with both the local crowds and online audience, especially when we throw in covers from legends like Coldplay—it never goes wrong.” Having performed at festivals like BMW’s JoyTown 2023 and venues like Hard Rock Café and AM PM, POLY is only getting started, aiming to take his unique sound to international stages in 2025, with support from BBC Introducing in the UK.
With a strong foundation in both music and live performance, POLY is ready for the next chapter of his journey, and the future is bright. “It’s always nice seeing the press enjoy what I make,” POLY reflects. “POLY is a vision of feeling what we all feel, and I love when others can connect with that. I’m excited for the press to see what I’ve been working on lately.”
POLY’s song “dawling” is an acoustic, emotionally charged meditation on love, loss, and the passage of time. As the title track of his long-awaited sophomore EP of the same name, dawling captures the essence of reflecting on a past relationship. “Sometimes you meet someone and fall in love with them over time because they seem like the perfect person for you. This girl I met five years ago made me feel that way. Dawling is a song about that. Sometimes you meet the person so perfect for you, but it’s the wrong time, wrong situation. You just hope one day you’ll both come back to each other,” says POLY, explaining the core of the song. The word "dawling" is his own creation, coined to describe the act of reminiscing about feelings or moments that have faded with time. The track evokes a sense of longing while offering an underlying acceptance of the inevitable end of relationships, whether due to time or circumstance. "If you love someone, you let them go. If they come back, they were yours to begin with."
The minimalist, singer-songwriter style allows the raw emotion of the lyrics to shine. POLY’s soft, yet expressive vocals pair perfectly with the song’s understated acoustic arrangement, creating a deeply personal experience for the listener. “A major part of the writing process with this one was very freeing. Even though the song was about me reminiscing over lost times and emotions, it felt like letting go was the wiser thing to do after so long. It felt like the right choice, you know? Dawling is me coming to peace with that. The song's vulnerability reflects my own need to step forward.” The themes of reflection and acceptance are ever-present, as dawling mirrors the idea that while love may fade, memories linger, and with them comes peace. POLY sees love’s ending not as a tragedy, but as part of life’s natural rhythm.
Dawling is both a poignant reminder of love’s fragility and an invitation to cherish the moments we share with others, even as they slip away. “Love wins,” says POLY, capturing the ultimate message of the song. His song-writing is not just about nostalgia but about the beauty in letting go, in the acknowledgment that sometimes love’s impermanence is what makes it precious. During the recording process, he found himself embracing the simplicity of the moment. “Sometimes it’s the most basic things that help you make the most beautiful songs. It’s not about having the fanciest gear or instruments; it’s about flowing with your emotions and working with the bare minimum. I recorded this song in my bedroom, not a fancy studio, and that comfort really made a difference.” The peaceful atmosphere allowed the emotional depth of the song to shine, a testament to how intimate and personal the process was.
Dawling is an emotional, raw, and introspective reflection of the journey through love, loss, and growth. It’s a track that represents both the strength and vulnerability in embracing life’s transient moments, with all their beauty and imperfection. As POLY moves forward in his musical career, this song becomes a powerful testament to both his craft and his emotional maturity, capturing the essence of love’s cyclical nature and the peace that follows.
Have a listen and connect with Polymancer:
