New Artist of the Week: Caroline Rose

What "A sprightly, angsty pop burrito"
Where New York
Why It can take time living in the world for artists to truly represent themselves in their music. Caroline Rose is proof of that. In 2014 she was pegged as an Americana folk-rock youngling with, in I Will Not Be Afraid, a debut album in thrall to its predecessors.

Four years later Rose has lived. Feeling disconnected from her music and the modern world, the New York musician decided to embrace it. At 25 she joined Tinder, rented her first apartment, socialised more, wore red all the time and got a girlfriend. They travelled, then broke up. Rose discussed “politics, capitalism and Rihanna” and put herself out in the world.

The self-described queer feminist has put her real experience into her invigorating new album, Loner, which she says is equally inspired by Kate Bush, Justin Timberlake and 1970s punk. It's as bright and vibrant as her new clothes and, she says, reflects her true personality and experiences from her circle of friends – an accidental pregnancy, financial stability and unfaithful lovers. They're serious songs wrapped in a sprightly, angsty pop burrito, according to her label.

Loner is a dark-edged album of manic and millennial pop, drawing on indie rock, surf music, synth hooks and bright production – which Rose, recognising the lack of gender diversity in the field, is keen to take credit for. "I wanted to make sure everything was as me as it could possibly be," she says. Listen here.

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