Ask Carol map emotional abstraction in the folk expanse of their desert mirage-esque release, Cold July –

Ask Carol subverted the hallmarks of the folk vignette in their standout single, Cold July, pulled from their recently released LP, AC II: Desert Sky. Like a mirage shimmering above a scorched plain, the instrumentals arrive with mind-warping salvation as the lyrics pull you into a paradox-laden narrative. It twists and turns through jagged emotion and abstract self-reflection, but the beauty of Ask Carol lies in how the duo never leaves you stranded in the desolation. Their sonic compass always finds a route forward, even while careering away from the cliffs of convention.

Formed in the isolated mountain town of Auma, Norway, Ask Carol has cultivated a sound that thrives on solitude, contrast, and duality. There’s both softness and sinew threaded through Cold July, a track that refuses to stay tethered to folk or indie rock tropes. As always, Carol’s multitasking rig keeps the low end humming while the space between the drum fills and guitar lines feels cavernous enough to hold the weight of their lyrical introspection.

After making international waves with tours across Asia and a series of showcases at SXSW, the pair returned with their sophomore album through their indie imprint ChoVan Records, drawing press acclaim and a groundswell of online traction through TikTok and Instagram.

For all their Nordic melancholia and stripped-back setup, Ask Carol generate the type of storm that’s impossible to ignore, especially with how Cold July became a study in pushing form and feeling to the edges, then letting them bleed together.

Cold July is now available on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify. 

Review by Amelia Vandergast