SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: MAGGIE ROGERS – DON’T FORGET ME

MAGGIE ROGERS
DON’T FORGET ME
CAPITOL RECORDS/UNIVERSAL MUSIC CANADA

Ever since she wowed and moved Pharrell Williams to the verge of tears in 2016 with her song “Alaska” and became a viral sensation, Maggie Rogers has been one of the biggest names in pop and folk music. Her debut album, Heard It in a Past Life, gained her more widespread recognition, leading to a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist. Her latest album, Don’t Forget Me, shows that her talent and creativity continue to improve. Don’t Forget Me is a delightful album full of catchy melodies, interesting instrumentation, and memorable choruses.

“On & On & On” features crisp and bright vocals from Rogers and is one of the catchiest songs of her discography. Odds are the chorus will still be stuck in your mind for months after listening to it. “It Was Coming All Along” has a superb pairing of late 90s and early 2000s country pop guitar feel (Michelle Branch and Sheryl Crow instantly come to mind) and an 80s-style synth reminiscent of Kim Carnes. It is a fun and intoxicating throwback tune that feels modern but also like a classic and is nearly as groovy as “Give A Little” from Roger’s debut album Heard It in a Past Life. “Drunk” and “The Kill” are excellent folk-pop songs, with powerful vocal performances, and dazzling guitar work from the latter. 

“If Now Was Then” and “Don’t Forget Me” demonstrate her growth in confidence, maturity, and vulnerability as a songwriter. Meanwhile, “So Sick Of Dreaming” manages to be heartbreaking and quite witty, in particular, the monologue about being stood up for Knicks tickets. All three also have unforgettable choruses and stunning vocals, especially “If Now Was Then”.

There is only one major setback from the record. “Never Going Home” is a decent track, but the chorus seems like a ‘copy-and-paste’ of the much better “So Sick of Dreaming”. It is sometimes hard to differentiate between the two because of how similar the structure, instrumentation, and vocals of the chorus are.

Overall, Maggie Rogers delivers another powerhouse record with Don’t Forget Me. 

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