POLAR's Resurgence: Embracing Change And Pushing Boundaries With FIVE ARROWS

Interview by Angela Croudace
After 15 years in the game, Polar's frontman Adam "Woody" Woodford
could have easily walked away when the band hit a rough patch. But
instead of throwing in the towel, he rebuilt the band with a fresh
line-up and a renewed sense of purpose. The result? Five Arrows is
their boldest and most experimental album to date.
Polar's journey has been anything but easy. After members left and
relationships were tested, Woody was at a crossroads. But rather
than giving up, he saw an opportunity for a fresh start. "When you
lose everything, you gain everything," Woody explains, paraphrasing
Fight Club. This approach laid the groundwork for the band's
artistic rejuvenation. As a result, the new album exemplifies that
philosophy: challenging, sincere, and unfiltered.
Five Arrows represents a new era for the band, as they threw out
the rulebook and embraced an experimental approach to their sound.
"There was nothing left to lose," Woody reflects. The result is an
album that pushes boundaries, blending aggression and melody in a
way they hadn't explored before. "We threw the rulebook out," he
adds, highlighting how the band has moved away from its established
blueprint to create something more dynamic and challenging.
The songwriting process for Five Arrows was a true collaboration.
Guitarist Simon Richardson wrote a series of riffs that became the
album's foundation, and the band worked together, refining and
expanding on the ideas. But it wasn't just about the band, but also
the outside influences that shaped the sound. Producer Jack Murphy
played a crucial role, pushing the band out of their comfort zones
and challenging them to explore new directions.
For Woody, the album's emotional core is just as important as the
sound. Five Arrows tackles the destructive power of change and the
resilience needed to overcome it. Woody reflects on how embracing
change has brought the band to a place of growth and renewal, no
matter how difficult. "It's all about resilience," he says.
"There's no dead end unless you make it one."
Polar's future looks bright as the band prepares to tour and share
Five Arrows with the world. What started as a passion project has
become a symbol of strength, unity, and perseverance. For Woody and
the band, Five Arrows is more than just an album - it's a physical
incarnation of their ability to rise from the ashes and embrace
whatever comes next.

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