caroline have followed up their self-titled 2022 debut with an even more delightfully chaotic record. The experimental octet still works on a micro scale, but “caroline 2” is wide-eyed and enchanting without shying away from emotional profundity. “One of the fundamental themes is the idea of different things happening at once, things that are very different from each other but also simultaneous,” the band’s Jasper Llewellyn, who produced the record with Casper Hughes and Mike O’Malley, explained. The LP, led by ‘Total euphoria’, was written and recorded across various studio sessions over an 18-month period.
Returning with ‘caroline 2’, the eight-piece collective embrace a bolder, more expansive sound. Going beyond their debut’s explorations of repetition, slowness and space, the new album pushes further into dynamic contrasts — organic and electronic, raw and refined. Launched with the striking single ‘Tell me I never knew that’, featuring Caroline Polachek’s unmistakable vocals, “caroline 2” showcases a fearless interplay of layered instrumentation, warped vocal processing, and moments of both euphoria and melancholy. Intentional and immersive, this next chapter solidifies caroline as one of the most innovative voices in contemporary music.
released May 30, 2025
2025, Rough Trade Records Ltd
The Fat Angel Sings 