The art of evolving as a musician comes with the trope of evolving artistry. In order to stay relevant in the music industry, artists constantly strive for something new and different. Caroline Rose, in particular, had a strong desire to express herself fully, as she felt that not doing so would cause her to explode. This sentiment was expressed by Caroline herself in an interview about her album “The Art of Forgetting.”
From the very first note of the synth, “The Art of Forgetting” takes listeners on a hazy and psychedelic journey. It is a unique blend of Björk’s energy and a grandeur that we haven’t seen in Caroline’s previous work. While Caroline is known for her satirical storytelling and dancing in a bikini, this album takes a more serious tone. It delves into themes of regret, grief, and the inevitability of pain.
This album is a departure from Caroline’s previous happy-go-lucky albums like “Superstar” and “Loner.” “The Art of Forgetting” is a deep exploration of contemplation and transformation, filled with raw and intense emotions. After going through a difficult breakup and a series of heartbreaking events, Caroline felt the need for a spiritual connection and personal growth. For the first time, she looked inward, unearthing buried memories and laying them bare for all to see.
Throughout the album, Caroline receives voicemails from her grandmother, who is clearly losing her mind. These moments are interspersed throughout the album, providing moments of brightness amidst the overall heartbreaking story of someone who has forgotten how to love themselves and is now relearning how to do so. Caroline reflects on the different ways that memories manifest in our lives, sometimes feeling like a curse and other times being used as a tool.
The album begins with the poignant track “Love / Lover / Friend,” where Caroline reminds a lost companion not to take her for granted. She sings with a bitter taste in her mouth, accompanied by jangly acoustics and dream-like synths, setting the tone for the album.
“Rebirth” explores the lack of understanding when it comes to self-compassion. Caroline realizes that she needs to be kinder to her old self and breaks free from the cycle of self-reformation. The song is filled with swamp-funk bass-lines and erratic pots-and-pans instrumentation, adding depth to the overall sound.
“Miami” showcases Caroline’s songwriting capabilities as she reflects on life’s troubles and past experiences. She yearns to clean up all the memories, both good and bad, and wonders why she even bothers. Fuzzy guitars and a rampant outburst add to the intensity of the song, highlighting the art of loving and forgetting.
“The Doldrums” takes us through a glitched and chopped instrumentation, symbolizing faulty memories and the question of identity. Caroline wonders who she was back then and who she is now, as the same question keeps resurfacing.
There are moments in this album that can easily captivate the listener, and “The Kiss” is one of those moments. With heavy synth sounds reminiscent of the ’80s, Caroline expresses her longing for love and the fear of forgetting how to love. “Tell Me What You Want” is a nod to Caroline’s past beginnings, while “Love Song For Myself” redirects her focus on loss and the struggle to love oneself. It’s a feeling that many of us can relate to.
The album concludes with “Where Do