caroline 2 aptly embodies sequel-ese: bolder, brighter, extra accessible, and extra formidable suddenly. But for all of its refinement and progress, caroline 2 permits its creators to completely embrace their position as UK post-rock’s preeminent sentimentalists. From the very starting, the songs of the London octet have contained a way of earnest surprise: Early single “Good Morning (Pink)” was initially impressed by some members’ political awakening whereas canvassing for the Labour Occasion in 2017. However by its launch years later, “Good Morning” had develop into an elegy, as caroline’s egalitarian, eight-member setup was as shut because the band obtained to witnessing a socialist revolution. And like so many idealistic collectives, caroline’s obsessions with course of often got here on the expense of product; the mesmerizing interaction captured of their dwell “Pool Classes,” recorded in 2020 and 2021, was tempered by idle found-sound interludes on their self-titled 2022 debut. Profiles of the band, in the meantime, had been loaded with procedural particulars that learn just like the minutes of a committee board assembly.
Additionally they tried to stroll again each point out of “Midwestern emo” of their formative influences, however they’re not beating the allegations this time round. Think about if American Soccer moved to Chicago after graduating school and obtained taken below the wing of Gastr Del Sol and Tortoise as a substitute of breaking apart. That’s the sound of caroline 2: craving, irresolute melodies; plaintive, plainspoken lyrics; and hours of analog improvisation are honed in painstaking digital post-production. Let the Squids and Greeps of their peer group be arch, absurd, aggro, abrasive; caroline additionally have a look at trendy existence and ask, “Are you able to consider this shit” with their eyes broad moderately than rolling.
Opener “Complete euphoria” is essentially the most beguiling rock anthem of latest reminiscence—each instrument performs behind the beat, so unquantized that it initially seems like eight folks recording in utterly totally different rooms, or maybe locked right into a cryptic rhythm recognized solely to its individuals. The impact is each mesmerizing and nerve-wracking, like watching a marathoner push to the end line after hitting the wall, Willis Reed limping into immortality. Anybody who’s listened to 5 minutes of post-rock is aware of the crescendo is coming, however when it does, “Complete euphoria” implodes moderately than explodes; the title holds as a result of this second delivers nothing shy of the joys of victory or the candy launch of loss of life. Conversely, “Track two” is bisected by strings that sound bowed by bonesaws, teasing a horror-movie jumpscare; as a substitute, the rusted trapdoor opens to let in blinding daylight and unseasonable heat.
