I hear you—there’s nothing worse than a blog post that sounds like it was written by a robot in a suit. Let’s strip away the “marketing-speak” and give it some actual soul.

Here is a version that feels like it’s coming from a fan who actually has the track on repeat.

Kaleb Cohen Just Dropped “Carolina” and It’s a Total Gut-Punch

Let’s be real: we’ve all been following Kaleb Cohen since his early TikTok days, watching him turn raw bedroom demos into something massive. But his new single, “Carolina,” feels like the moment he officially graduates from “internet artist” to a serious force in indie-pop.

If his last EP was about the rush of summer, “Carolina” is the quiet, rainy drive home after the party’s over. It’s nostalgic, it’s a little bit painful, and it’s arguably the best thing he’s released yet.

The Vibe: East Coast Heartbreak

“Carolina” isn’t just a song about a girl; it’s about that weird, hollow feeling of staying in your hometown while everyone else moves on. Kaleb has this way of writing lyrics that feel like a core memory you forgot you had. He talks about old Rawlings baseball gloves and selling the family truck—details that make the song feel lived-in and real.

The chorus is one of those earworms that stays with you long after the song ends. When he hits those high notes on “How I love you so,” you can actually hear his voice crack with the weight of it. It’s messy, it’s emotional, and it’s why we love him.

A New Sound for Kaleb

Musically, this isn’t just another piano ballad. It starts off intimate—just Kaleb and his keys—but it builds into this atmospheric, cinematic wall of sound. It’s got that “Big Folk” energy that fans of Noah Kahan or Zach Bryan will obsess over, but with a polished pop edge that keeps it fresh.

It’s the kind of track that belongs on every “Late Night Drives” and “Main Character Energy” playlist for the rest of the year.

Why You Need to Listen

Kaleb Cohen is 20 years old, but he’s writing with the perspective of someone twice his age. He’s navigating that awkward transition into adulthood in real-time, and “Carolina” is the perfect anthem for anyone who feels caught between where they’re from and where they’re going.

The Essentials:

• For fans of: Mark Ambor, Benson Boone, and staring out of bus windows.

• Best part: The bridge. Trust me, turn the volume up when the drums kick in.

• Where to find it: Everywhere you stream music.

If you’re lucky enough to live near Syracuse, Columbus, or Providence, he’s playing some intimate shows this spring. Get your tickets now, because after “Carolina” takes off, he’s going to be playing much bigger rooms.