Maggie Rogers is a 29-year-old singer-songwriter and producer, who just released her third studio album Don’t Forget Me. This album is creative and has a perfect flow throughout its entirety. Rogers delicately forays away from her folky dance pop debut Heard It in a Past Life (2019) and its follow-up, the alternative swaying Surrender (2022). Embracing a return to her folk roots, Rogers continues to sonically evolve, leading her listeners along the path beside her.
The first track on Rogers’ album, “It Was Coming All Along,” is the ultimate way to start off, with a consummate amount of energy through all aspects of the song. Rogers is extremely versatile and comfortable in her range, especially in the chorus, as her voice jumps around effortlessly.
In “So Sick of Dreaming,” it is special to hear how well Rogers’ voice sits in the pocket of the bassline and drums perfectly as the combination amplifies the sass in Rogers’ tone. This song sounds like she is sticking up for herself and giving up on something hopeless. There is a voice-mail being overlayed at the end of the song of a girl talking about getting stood up, and it ties together the message Rogers is getting across in her song.
“I Still Do” is a sad breakup piano ballad. There are two lines in this song, “Love is not a debt you pay” and “Love is not the final straw but it’s always a reason to risk it all,” that capture how special the love that she is giving away is, and how raw she was in making this song. Rogers ends the song beautifully and mysteriously with, “Oh, and I still do,” after leading her words in the other direction the whole time.
“Never Going Home” is an upbeat song with a fast tempo. The song takes us through her inner dialogue throughout the day, telling herself that she is not wanting to go back to the person she calls home. The addition of the guitar solo shows how Rogers’ mind is spinning synchronously with the fluid sounds of the guitar.
The seventh track on the album, “On & On & On,” is an energetic rock number that is being drawn to a live stage. Rogers is singing with passion and soul, being accompanied by a great production highlighting spirited guitar lines.
The last song and title track on the album, “Don’t Forget Me,” is as sad as it sounds. Starting out by comparing her life to someone else’s — someone who seems more put together, leads to asking for someone’s time, knowing they are going to leave. In return, pleading not be forgotten when they do.
Don’t Forget Me is exciting and keeps the listener wanting more Maggie Rogers. The variety of emotions that Rogers exudes in this album is a demonstration of her versatility and ability to charm her listeners.
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