The Art of Forgetting, Jamie

I want to start be saying I really like the album and I will definitely have it on regularly this spring at least. I lead with the emphatic positivity because the rest of this review might sound more sour on the record than I mean it to.

My problem is that I'm a big big big Caroline Rose fan. I was won over by LONER and ended up seeing them (and band) live five times. They're a divey weirdo who makes the audience feel like peers by pulling them into bits and jokes in between emotionally charged yet catchy jams. That's important to remember—that Rose's music is so catchy. Even on the Americana albums, they show real strength in crafting unique earwormy pop melodies. That talent, combined with their detail-obsessed approach to fine tuning the production of their music made LONER sound like something of a proto-Remi Wolf hyper pop apt. Rock whatever. The labels aren't helpful, but I love they album and the tour experience. I feel similarly about Superstar, but that album lacked the tour experience due to COVID. Doesn't make it any less catchy though.

So on to The Art of Forgetting. I think it's got tons of excellent songs that develop in surprising ways that keep the listener engaged. I think the lyrics turn Rose's cutting but funny commentary inward to great emotional effect. How many other albums are this funky despite the artist being seemingly super depressed?

It's got so much going for it that I wish Rose hadn't mixed almost all the vocals so low and washed-out. There are a lot of ways to convey sadness sonically, and using whatever techniques they use here would be effective if it were used even in a couple songs. But virtually all of them? I that choice makes it harder to appreciate two of the skills that make Caroline Rose stand out: how catchy the music can be, and how unique of a voice they have as a lyricist.

The thing is I still thing the songs on this album ARE REALLY CATCHY, it will just take people more listens to appreciate the good stuff than they may be willing to devote to something that sounds like it could be depressing. Especially as the weather gets nicer. Not me though, I'll be spinning it because songs like "Miami," "Everywhere I Go I Bring the Rain," "The Kiss," and "Tell Me What You Want" are hits! Hits I tell ya!