“There’s a prevailing mood throughout all the records and songs that is simultaneously euphoric and a bit downtrodden.” — Jasper Llewellyn. While this latest version of caroline is the result of extensive collective reflection, it also showcases a band continually exploring the freshest sounds available. When discussing the primary influences behind their new direction, the band members unanimously agree that they draw from albums released since their first album was completed. Ellen Arkbro is noted, along with Alex G’s anthemic ‘God Save The Animals’, and the glitchy hyperpop experimentation of Giant Claw’s ‘Mirror Guide’.
“During the tours for our first album, I was listening to a SoundCloud playlist filled with collaged, mashed-up, breakcore-style remixes of pop songs, which inspired the melodies,” Jasper recalls. “The noise and euphoria of that was very motivating at the time.”
He adds, “We started allowing these hooks to be a part of our sound. I think we were a bit self-absorbed with the first record regarding how sweet the melodies could sound, but now we're fine with them, and they emerged quite naturally.”
Another significant influence, their almost namesake Caroline Polachek, makes a surprise appearance as a guest vocalist on the recently released track ‘Tell Me I Never Knew That’. After jokingly claiming to have written a melody in the style of Polachek and debating for “a year” about asking her to feature, they received an enthusiastic response to a hopeful DM sent via Instagram from the alt-pop star, who was already a fan of their music.
“We’ve always been fans,” Casper states. “I remember sharing ‘Door’ with [Jasper] while recording the first album, and we were both like, ‘this is amazing!’ She occasionally liked our Instagram posts, and we thought, ‘Wow! Someone we really admire appreciates our music. That’s incredible!’”
“We didn’t ask her for this,” Jasper continues, “but before our session, she sent us a demo with all these harmonies she had recorded, many of which ended up in the song. She really took it to another level. She’s deeply passionate about the music. You might assume that a pop star isn't that invested in music or dedicated, but she truly is.”
With all these new interests, influences, and ideas becoming essential components of the band's identity and their music, what ultimately defines caroline? “It’s difficult for us to pinpoint exactly what that is. I can sense a mood that runs through all our records and songs, which is a bit euphoric and a bit downtrodden,” Jasper suggests. “That contrast between being triumphant and euphoric while also feeling like it’s collapsing is reflected throughout our work.”
‘caroline 2’ will be released on May 30th via Rough Trade Records.
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