Australian singer-songwriter Carla dal Forno has released her fourth album, Confession, a captivating exploration of obsession and desire set against a spartan post-punk backdrop. The album exists in the chasm between the coolness of her music and the unrepentant desperation of the crush it investigates.
A Journey Through Emotional Turmoil
Dal Forno describes Confession as being about a friendship that became emotionally charged in an unexpected way, unfolding in a series of riveting scenes. The opening track, Going Out, is driven by a bass line reminiscent of New Order and confesses her shame as romantic obsession hardens into brute determination. Her tone is unrepentantly chilling as she resolves to acquire her target.
Contrasts in Sound and Emotion
The title track continues the theme of obsession, but Dal Forno attempts to brush off its depth with a bright, gently skanking rhythm, a style familiar from her 2022 album Come Around. Nighttime crackles with erotic potential, while other songs reveal hurt and regret, though the music does not always mirror these emotions. The album incorporates naive twee-pop melodies, peppy coldwave, and more.
One standout is Under the Covers, which explores the inexorability of attraction and the stasis that can set into a relationship. Amid eight songs, the four instrumentals feel less engaging, even pointless, but they highlight the subtle strength of Dal Forno's storytelling and singing.
A Rich Self-Portrait
Throughout Confession, Dal Forno portrays herself as careless, selfish, even cruel, yet also desperate, uncertain, and tender. Her vocal style wrongfoots the listener, perhaps even herself, about her true feelings. The result is a rich, sympathetic self-portrait in song.
