Recommended Tracks: “Cruel and Unusual Punishment,” “Not Used to You,” “It Took Me Falling”
Artists You Might Like: Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift, Gracie Abrams
“It takes falling to land where you’re supposed to, and this EP was my process of coming to that realization myself,” is what Caroline Romano shares when talking about her third EP, It Took Me Falling. She further explains, “It’s my answer to why it’s worth living with your arms outstretched toward something you haven’t found yet.” Fans of the Mississippi-native-turned-Nashville-based artist know that Caroline has done her fair share of falling over the years, as past EPs A Brief Epic and How the Good Girls Die contain tracks that showcase her messy, anxious, and vulnerable sides. But all of this falling was for something, and on It Took Me Falling, Caroline has finally accepted everything it took for her to get to this point.
The EP opens with “Cruel and Unusual Punishment,” which finds her in familiar, self-sabotaging territory. On this twinkly track, Caroline sings against its racing pulse, which is reflective of the angst and the inner turmoil she experiences. All the while, she sings, “Multiple reasons now that I feel sick / She’s blond and beautiful, and that’s not even half of it / Like, Jesus Christ, could you guys take any more pictures?” giving into the temptation to look up her ex’s new girlfriend. But overall, it’s a funny, vulnerable, and honest track—elements that make her music and artistry so appealing.
We then take a turn for the better with “Unsteady” and “There It Is.” With “Unsteady,” Caroline realizes that she does not have to fear who she is when she’s with that person who makes her “steady.” It’s a sharp contrast from “Cruel and Unusual Punishment,” both in attitude and in the sonics, as this embraces more of a softer, acoustic guitar-based vibe. And with “There It Is,” Caroline finds validation in letting go, embracing a moment she has been waiting for. This is more on the delicate side, and you almost expect it to be free and light from the lyrics, but it contains a heaviness that stops Caroline from completely giving in. While she observes, “Here you are and there it is” and “It’s the cliché coming when you least expect,” she proceeds forward with caution.
Elsewhere, we find Caroline falling further into this new love and the new version of herself that it brings out of her. On the pop-forward “Not Used to You,” she sings, “Your timing’s kind of rude, I swear / I hate that I adore the way you hold the door / It’s concerning just how much you care / But c’est la vie.” The hesitation she experienced before has faded, and even though she can’t fully comprehend who is in her life, she knows that she doesn’t need to be afraid. When you hear, “Maybe I won’t cry when you kiss me,” you want to encourage her to find out. She might just find out when she goes “Up the Stairs,” where she ascends into uncharted territory. She acknowledges, “It’s typical for me to overthink / So I think / You should take me up the stairs,” tapping into a confidence that things will be all right. Caroline even shares, “I’m wading into brand new waters / And I can’t swim that great, but I want to go out farther,” ready to push herself.
The closing track, “It Took Me Falling,” makes Caroline’s story on this EP complete. Listeners will get a sense that this is a raw recording, straight from the phone or whatever device was used to capture this performance. While it is so stripped back, the minimalism and simplicity makes it so compelling. The melodies move the song along as Caroline reveals, “So, he split my heart right there in two / I was years / And years and years / Away from you.” She later continues, “All the tears and all the pain I went through / Was just me falling to find you,” demonstrating how far she has come.
In the end, It Took Me Falling is a standout in Caroline’s library of music. Not only does it showcase the range of her artistry, but it also introduces us to a more assured, more loving Caroline. For the past few years, fans have heard the worry and the confusion and the doubt that have swirled in Caroline’s life, but with It Took Me Falling, Caroline owns her past. She knows that she is more in her element now, all because of these conflicted emotions and feelings. Along the way, she has learned from the mistakes and has grown as an artist, and she has found someone deserving of love. Yes, Caroline is known for falling, but with It Took Me Falling, she will not stay down.
You can listen to It Took Me Falling here.
Learn more about Caroline in our latest ‘On Your Radar’ segment here.
Keep up with Caroline Romano: Instagram // X // Facebook // TikTok // YouTube // Website // Linktree
