Best known for blending glossy hooks and emotional outbursts in his pop-rap fusions, Australian singer-songwriter The Kid LAROI built his career on emphasizing raw feeling in his music. His latest project and second studio album “BEFORE I FORGET” was released on Friday, Jan. 9 and took only four months to finish. LAROI had scrapped a previously completed project after his public breakup with Canadian singer-songwriter and dancer Tate McRae, feeling the original album no longer reflected his personal experiences. This split was later explored in lead single “A COLD PLAY,” released Sept. 2025, to which McRae responded through her single “TIT FOR TAT” and deluxe album “SO CLOSE TO WHAT???”
In the months leading up to its release, LAROI previewed several singles alongside “A COLD PLAY” that set the introspective tone for the album. The record leans toward mellow production with R&B influences, showcasing a more delicate version of LAROI while also preserving the raw emotional impact that defines his music. Later tracks previewed by LAROI like “A PERFECT WORLD” and “BACK WHEN YOU WERE MINE” highlighted the album’s gentler and more reflective approach, giving listeners a preview of the emotionally heavy direction of “BEFORE I FORGET” before its official release.
With its mix of tender piano ballads and mid-tempo tracks, the album showcases LAROI’s ability to translate heartbreak into a cohesive arc that progresses from shock to regret and reluctantly, acceptance. Each of the 15 tracks details a specific moment in his self-reflection of love and longing as LAROI examines the relationship from different angles. In the opening track “ME + YOU,” he highlights his initial shock, lamenting “What happens to the things that we planned? / We made a pact that we would stick together” drawing the listener into his sense of sudden loss through reflective yearning. Then, tracks “JULY” and “PRIVATE” revisit complicated memories building emotional tension, further engrossing listeners into the melancholy.
The album’s first feature redirects attention from LAROI’s confessional opening tracks to more nuanced perspectives on heartbreak. On “RATHER BE (feat. Lithe),” Australian rapper Lithe’s low, melodic vocals create a dialogue with LAROI, moving the song from LAROI’s initial desire to rekindle his relationship toward the painful recognition that he must move on. The lead single, “A COLD PLAY,” conveys lingering regret through its gentle rhythms and moody synth pads alongside LAROI’s emotionally raw delivery, allowing his line “It’s really hard to accept the fact that I can’t fix you” to emphasize the futility in trying to mend a broken relationship. “MAYBE I’M WRONG,” then highlights LAROI’s frank acknowledgment of his own mistakes and errors — paired with sparse piano and stripped-back production that puts his voice front and center — reinforcing his accountability and bringing the album’s emotional journey to an overall quiet resolution. Each stage of LAROI’s progression offers a sense of catharsis that lets the audience process their own experiences of heartbreak with him.
LAROI’s measured delivery compliments the subtle production, emphasizing simplicity over theatricality. Delicate guitar and ambient textures on “5:21 AM (feat. Andrew Aged)” give the track’s whispered vocals space to breathe, resonating with listeners as if they’re part of every late-night confession. Mid-tempo tracks like “COME DOWN” and “I’M SO IN LOVE WITH YOU” pick up the energy using soft beats to create a melodic, driving flow that keeps the album engaging while still honoring its reflective moments. LAROI leans into smooth R&B tones, built upon mellow electric piano chords and light percussion, further allowing his vocals to shine and drawing listeners into a quiet, contemplative space.
Although the record is most certainly compelling in its delivery and vulnerability, his lyricism leaves a lot to be desired. The repetitive themes leaves a number of lyrics stale. Lines like “Oh you reap what you sow,” in “NEVER CAME BACK” and “Or maybe I’m wrong / And maybe you’re right,” in “MAYBE I’M WRONG” rely on familiar heartbreak cliches instead of articulating those feelings through unique imagery based off his own experiences. The sincerity is clear, yet LAROI’s lack of inventive lyricism suggests an underdevelopedness — likely a result of the album’s quick creation process. “BEFORE I FORGET” rushes to the finish line, ironically forgetting to let its heartbreak fully mature.
That said, the album’s slower tracks dwell heavily on sadness and regret, occasionally giving the impression that LAROI is lingering in his heartbreak rather than moving forward. The album’s somber periods, though thematically relevant, can feel drawn-out and threaten the project’s emotional progression. While this may underscore the complexity of LAROI’s emotions, the polished production struggles to sustain momentum, causing latter tracks to blend together rather than leaving a distinct impression as intended.
At its core, “BEFORE I FORGET” resonates with listeners because it balances emotional clarity with cohesive sound. Even when the album falters in innovative lyricism or lingers too long in its own melancholy, LAROI’s vulnerability and crafted mood keep the listener invested. The record may not be perfectly refined, but its willingness to sit in discomfort and reflection makes it feel genuine rather than staged. “BEFORE I FORGET” stands as a mature step forward for LAROI, proving that authenticity can be just as powerful as spectacle.
3.5/5
