Forest Claudette has never been afraid to lean into the hard conversations, especially the ones we have with ourselves. "I think a lot about change," the Australian alternative R&B artist bewitches on his latest single, "Goodbye," a wrenching meditation on closure and the bittersweet nature of letting go. Combining his trademark blend of velvety vocals, soul-stirring production, and deeply personal storytelling, Claudette transforms farewell messages into something gorgeously cathartic.
Set atop a bed of delicate synth tones, spare percussion, and a melody that clings like a final embrace, "Goodbye" finds Claudette in a contemplative mood. His warm but aching voice has the weight of nostalgia as he feels the push-and-pull of farewell. "Goodbye" is about that moment when you realize you have to let go, be it of a person, a place, or a version of yourself," he says. It hurts, but it's also essential."
Similar to his breakthrough single "Creaming Soda," Claudette's newest offering is at once personal and general, folding together alternative R&B, indie, and pop influences. His skill at intertwining ragged passion with contemporary textures turns "Goodbye" into a moment, leaving its mark on you long after the final note dies.
Forest Claudette proves that music is also feeling, with an EP soon to surface. And if "Goodbye" is any indication, the journey's next leg is worth taking.