Idol Chatter & Voice Views

On The Voice, we knew her as Charlotte Sometimes in Season 2.

She made it to the Top 24 on the show, treating us to a brilliant reworking of Paramore’s “Misery Business” along the way that remains one of my all-time favorite Voice performances.

But after about six years, an album and four EPs, Jessie Poland, the singer behind the music, has sent Charlotte off into retirement.

In her place, she’s unveiled LACES, with new music to match in the form of a five-track EP that hit iTunes last week.

LACES told Voice Views it was merely time “to shed my old skin.” And the new name is a nod toward collaboration with the people she works with to create her music.

What does it mean for the music?

“I think it’s not too far off from Charlotte, maybe just a little more electronic and adult. Perhaps even a little on the raw side. It’s definitely a lot sexier,” she says with a laugh.

Well, actually, that’s probably the case with a hypnotic, ridiculously catchy track called “Erotic.” She released another of the tracks, the fine “Love Me Sober,” as a lead single in March.

Fact is, most of the songs on the new EP are about relationships, including “Enemy,” which LACES describes as a song “that just poured out of me.”

“I was in a less than ideal relationship and I found out I was being cheated on and my heart was just shattered,” she says.

“But the song is all about exploring the idea that perhaps I already knew this guy was bad news. Did I know all along and was just pretending I didn’t? Why am I so slow in leaving a bad situation? Why do I let myself get treated this way? It’s really a song talking to myself about what a little screwed up lady I am.”

Fans have embraced the new endeavor.

“I haven’t heard one fan shun the new stuff,” says LACES. “It’s overwhelmingly awesome.”

“But really it looks sick. It’s amazing what you can do with modern technology and a projector,” she says.

As for shows, she has one set for later this month at the Silverlake Lounge in Los Angeles. After growing up in New Jersey, the 27-year-old is now based in L.A.

For details on that and to keep up with LACES, check out her website. On Twitter, she’s @LACESmusic.

Editor’s Note: For a look at albums and EPs released by former Voice contestants so far in 2015, head here. And please let me know if I’ve missed anyone.