caroline - caroline 2
A fever dream of folk-like arrangements, embracing a post-genre palette for a grandiose sound and a truly euphoric experience.
Who
Originally a duo of Jasper Llewellyn and Casper Hughes (who met while studying at Manchester University), the London-based ensemble evolved into its current eight-member strong form after the pair moved to London, joined by Jasper's friend Mike O'Malley. The band's formative rehearsals took place in the upstairs of a South East London pub before signing with Rough Trade Records in 2022. The unconventional but slick outfit (now also including Oliver Hamilton, Magdalena McLean, Freddy Wordsworth and Alex McKenzie) meld electric and acoustic, their textured sound built from cello, drums, violins, trumpet, clarinet, saxophone and percussion, with all members contributing to the sometimes choral-esque vocals.
What
A beautiful collision of ambient, avant-garde classicism and idiosyncratic indie pop. caroline's second offering showcases significant evolution for the ensemble's collage-like style, making bolder use of their trademark loud to quiet dynamics. caroline 2 is a maelstrom of juxtaposition, where crunching guitars, folksy violin and pastoral tones, build a soundscape which is both soft and heavy. The bands' often fragmented lyricism takes the backseat in Tell me I never knew that, the lead album single and collaboration with avant-garde hyper-pop queen Caroline Polachek and the emo autotuned style of U R UR ONLY ACHING. Wholly unpredictable whilst at the same time, never lacking in precision.
With
For fans of: Black Country New Road, Cameron Winter, Mogwai, Talk Talk
Don't Miss...
Browse our full list of Rough Trade Edit titles and listen to/follow our dedicated Album of the Month Spotify playlist below.