Polem is a pop-rock quintet from Puerto Rico led by singer Carlos “Charlie” Rodríguez that had been slowly and carefully building up its repertoire for a few years now as they worked on their full-length debut, “Lo Sencillo” (Tripulante Records, 2016).

The record is filled with breezy, melodic pop tunes like the lead single “Diferencia”, which explores feelings of alienation with delicacy and hope, without descending into dreary or murky musical passages, but rather by leaning in towards the lighter spectrum of sound.

The video, directed by Federico Torres Fernández, adds a few more layers to the song’s lyrics through its heartbreaking father-son narrative, one steeped in the real-world drama of refugees and the loved ones they leave behind.

Polem on Soundcloud, Facebook, Twitter, www.