Maggie Rogers makes the kind of music you run to—and not a casual, three-mile jog type of run, but rather, a whirlwind of emotions, coming-of-age, end-of-the-movie type of run. On Friday, she released her latest album, “Don’t Forget Me,” where she makes the listener run again. This time, it’s the pace you go down your hometown’s street on a late Sunday afternoon as the skies slowly fade from blue into orange.
In line with her Dazed interview, Rogers definitely makes “main character” music.
Rogers first blew up in 2016 through a YouTube video on a masterclass session at NYU Tisch with Pharrell Williams where he praised her song “Alaska.” Six years, a master’s degree from the Harvard Divinity School and many albums and mixtapes later, Rogers has truly honed her craft in “Don’t Forget Me.”
Written entirely within five days with co-producer Ian Fitchuk, Rogers’ latest album brings a new sense of maturity and rawness to her discography that draws back to her banjo-playing background. Rogers has always been more experimental with her genres, managing to combine dance-pop with folk-indie and even elements of alternative rock within her previous albums, “Surrender” and “Heard It In A Past Life.” For “Don’t Forget Me,” she leans into a more folk, indie and pop direction that is somewhat reminiscent of Fleetwood Mac.
Originally written chronologically, the album is also best listened to chronologically. As you go through the album, she brings you through her memories of love (both romantic and platonic), loss and moving on. Here is a breakdown of every song on the new album:
1. It Was Coming All Along | 7.5/10
The album opens up with “It Was Coming All Along” where you’re immediately overtaken with soft drums, acoustic strings and synth. The instrumentals are nostalgic in a small-town band that performs out of their garage, kind-of-way (except, you know, if the band was perfectly mixed and mastered).
“It Was Coming All Along” feels like the conclusion to her openers. While “Give A Little” from “Heard It In A Past Life” was about newness and excitement and”Overdrive” from “Surrender” was filled with chaos —”It Was Coming All Along” wraps things up with an acceptance of her fear of the uncertain future.
“I’m crying, wish I wasn’t hanging on / But I know it won’t last for long / So fast, it’s fading out of view / I’m flying long past twenty-two / So high, can’t find the moment it went wrong / But it was coming all along,” Roger sings.
Time will pass, and all you can really do is accept it.
7.5/10—best listened to during moments of existential crisis.
2. Drunk | 6.5/10
“Drunk” hits you like a tornado especially after the softness of “It Was Coming Along.” This track feels particularly raw in her vocal intonations that spontaneously change throughout the song, invoking a whirlwind of emotions.
“Drunk” brings you through the gradual acceptance of growing up. Rogers is “drunk” and is going dizzy with all of her thoughts and memories of youth. At the same time, she’s sobering up and is becoming more serious as she reaches adulthood.
“I’m drunk, but not drinking / Lost in wishful thinking / Round and round and round it goes … Time is up / You’ve had your fun / Oh, but it’s so loud,” Rogers sings.
Despite the tone changes, as the track nears the end, the lyrics fall flat and begin to feel repetitive.
6.5/10—best listened to during the nights when you’re screaming at the top of your lungs.
3. So Sick Of Dreaming | 8/10
You’re immediately calmed down from “Drunk” with a strong folk-pop vibe from “So Sick Of Dreaming,” where Rogers reflects on her experience with dating. Similar to the past two songs, there’s a sense of acceptance but this time, about romance.
“Oh, there ain’t no diamond ring you could buy me / To take me home / Oh, ‘cause I’m / So sick of dreamin’ / Oh, and I’m / All that I’m needin’,” Rogers sings.
This song seems to be dedicated to everybody who’s ever tried dating in today’s world; dating is difficult and Rogers knows that. It’s relatable, it’s fun and it’s easy to listen to.
8/10—hopeless romantics should steer clear of this song.
4. The Kill | 8.5/10
Rogers absolutely kills it with “The Kill” as she smoothly transitions from “So Sick Of Dreaming” into this song’s more alternative pop and indie vibe.
“The Kill” reflects on a relationship filled with ups and downs. These lyrics are more reminiscent of her previous album, “Surrender” which is filled with lines on a difficult and borderline toxic relationship. However, “The Kill” is a lot more mature and positive as Rogers looks toward the future.
“Ooh, we were just wasting time / ‘Cause we were hurting / But I know that you know that I know you best / And I know that we both can forget all the rest / We both were so difficult, but so invincible / Irresistible, but I loved you still,” Roger sings.
The build-up toward the choruses makes the song ever-so-exciting to listen to while simultaneously evoking the “main character” feeling that Rogers writes for.
8.5/10—one of my favorite songs on the album and is perfect for those nostalgic days.
5. If Now Was Then | 7/10
Following “The Kill” and halfway through the album is another song on reflection: “If Now Was Then.” Rogers sings of regrets and the things that could’ve been.
“I’d take it back, but I can’t, I’m sorry / I know it hurts, but you shouldn’t worry,” Roger sings.
Despite the relatively regretful lyrics, the instrumental and vocals are upbeat and make the listener excited for what’s next.
7/10—best for a drive down the road on a sunny day.
6. I Still Do | 8.5/10
Leading into the second half of the album is “I Still Do” which is the first ballad on “Don’t Forget Me.” Following “If Now Was Then,” Rogers continues to reflect on her relationship but is now more calm, collected and (seemingly) ready to let go.
“Darling, my dear, I know we’ve had a good thing going / Darling, I fear it’s time for us to do some growing,” Rogers sings in the first two lines.
This track is a slow and soft ballad that allows for the piano instrumental and Rogers’ melodic voice to shine. However, it is not a sad song. Rather, “I Still Do” tells the story of a beautiful love that once was and will forever exist in Rogers’ memories.
Rogers takes a more peaceful approach to letting go that nicely contrasts typical break-up songs that seek vengeance.
8.5/10—best for those slower, rainy summer days.
7. On & On & On | 7/10
“On & On & On” brings back memories of Fleetwood Mac songs with its groovy instrumentals. It’s a fun break-up song that brings back the energy following a ballad.
“When you realize the things that you lack / Better think twice ‘fore callin’ me back,” Rogers sings.
7/10—snarky and fun; best for dancing.
8. Never Going Home | 7/10
Rogers is still attempting to move on in “Never Going Home” but memories of her past haunt her. She plays further into this idea as this track is instrumentally more similar to earlier songs in the album like “It Was Coming All Along.”
“You get to talking, but those lips aren’t your lips / We lean together, those hips aren’t your hips / When we’re out in the back and I’m catching my breath / I close my eyes to forget all the rest, oh,” Roger sings.
However, she also sings, “Now I’m never, ever going home.” She wants to move on, but she still considers her partner her “home.” At this point, I’m wondering when Rogers is going to move on in the album.
7/10—best for those wanting to text their ex; listen to Rogers—you are never going “home.”
9. All The Same | 8.5/10
“All The Same” is the second ballad in this album that heavily ties back to the earlier ballad, “I Still Do.”
In “I Still Do” Roger sings, “And how far can you bend before you break it all someday? / And how long can you wait?”
Roger follows up in this track where we find out her partner chose not to stay.
“Give me the chance to wake up in a full romance / Just knowing that you chose to stay If only just to keep on hoping / Maybe even knowing there’s another way / Oh, won’t you wait?” Roger sings.
It’s a last-ditch effort for Rogers to make this difficult relationship work. However, she doesn’t seem too desperate based on the tone of her singing.
“All The Same” combines Rogers’ soft hums, the melodic piano keys and slow strumming of a guitar throughout to create a feeling of nostalgia and comfort. It’s like a warm, hearty, goodbye hug that I’m not ready to let go of yet.
8.5/10—best for those early mornings.
10. Don’t Forget Me | 7.5/10
“Don’t Forget Me” wraps up the album with Rogers’ raw vocals and a smooth folk-indie instrumental as she is finally ready to move on.
“Oh, and promise me that when it’s time to leave / Don’t forget me / Don’t forget me / And maybe I’m dead wrong / Maybe I was bitter from the winter all along / Maybe there’s a stranger standing, holding out for love / Just waiting on the next street / Just for me,” Rogers sings.
She’s borderline pleading when she sings “Don’t forget me,” but at the same time, there’s a resolute confidence and hope for her future.
The track ends the album on a high note while simultaneously showcasing the struggles she went through; Rogers is battered and hurt, but she’s willing to cautiously try again. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows—but when is love ever that easy anyway?
7.5/10—best listened to during emotional reminiscing.
“Don’t Forget Me” is now streaming on all platforms.