Inside Out is the newest release and the debut album of CAROUSE, an Otautahi/Christchurch based singer-songwriter.
This album is listed as a pop album; however, the easy listening, blues, folk, and country roots are obvious, especially in the instrumentation and the lush solos throughout the record. CAROUSE has created a consistent album, about the ups and downs of
love, living in nature, and doing what you love without the piercing view of others.
The opening track of the song is a soft disco track called Odyssey. It has quite a groove to it, and there is a lush tone to the guitar and vocals that is introduced and continued throughout the whole album. The themes of the album are present already, with the song being a declaration to a long lasting epic love. This single was actually accompanied by a rocking music video, shot and directed by Tyler Redmond, and featuring Nicole Gleeson-Jones.
I really enjoyed the title track, Inside Out, especially as it opened up on some lush, beautiful cello from Nicole Reddington, also featured on Broken Kiel. It is the title track for a reason, as both sonically and lyrically it can represent the whole album. It provides an immersive experience with the small amount of sound design in the introduction of the song, making you feel like you’re in the middle of the bush right after a rainstorm.
You & Me is another lush song, with an easy listening, laid back groove to it. It’s a beautiful duet between CAROUSE and vocalist Alyssa Parkinson. It’s a beautiful middle point to the album, and it shows off CAROUSE’s soloing style, and his skill as a guitarist can come to centre stage.
This album is a lush debut and is the start of a colourful discography. I would love to hear CAROUSE lean into the more blues and country sound and hear him explore more variety in narratives in his lyrics and melodies.
According to the YouTube description of the release, the album was co-produced by CAROUSE and Thom O’Connor at Orange Studio in Otautahi Christchurch, mixed by Thom O’Connor, and mastered by KOG NZ.CAROUSE is a Pop Artist from Aotearoa, New Zealand. With a guitar never far from his side, his unique style and colourful melodies will pull you in where ever you hear them. Whether on stage or in the studio, CAROUSE brings his all to every performance and leaves everything out on the table.